Is Your Motorhome Really As Secure As You Think? The UK vehicle theft figures, what thieves are looking for, and simple ways to protect your home on wheels

Is Your Motorhome Really As Secure As You Think? The UK vehicle theft figures, what thieves are looking for, and simple ways to protect your home on wheels

For most motorhome owners, their vehicle is much more than a way of getting from A to B.

It's your holiday home, your freedom, your escape at weekends and, for many people, a huge investment.

So the thought of someone stealing it is something most owners don't even want to think about.

But how secure is your motorhome really?

Vehicle theft is still a problem across the UK

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that there were 315,923 police-recorded vehicle offences in England and Wales in the year ending December 2025.

The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated 596,000 vehicle-related theft incidents over the same period, a 14% reduction compared with the previous year.

Although vehicle-related theft has been falling over the longer term, thousands of vehicle owners are still affected every year.

And vehicle theft isn't evenly distributed across the country.

Analysis covering April 2022 to March 2025 found the highest vehicle theft rates per 100,000 residents in:

  • West Midlands – 1,451

  • Metropolitan Police area – 1,117

  • South Yorkshire – 993

  • City of London – 972

  • Essex – 893

  • West Yorkshire – 775

  • Cleveland – 765

  • Greater Manchester – 706

These figures are based on recorded vehicle thefts and population, rather than saying that someone living in one of these areas has a particular individual risk.

What about motorhomes?

Motorhomes and campervans aren't simply oversized cars.

They're valuable vehicles that can contain expensive equipment, personal possessions and specialist fittings.

Police advice specifically recommends that owners of caravans and motorhomes consider using multiple layers of physical security, including steering wheel locks, wheel clamps, locking wheel nuts, pedal locks and other security devices.

And that is the key word: layers.

There isn't one magic product that makes a motorhome impossible to steal.

The aim is to make your vehicle harder, slower and less attractive to steal.

Don't rely on just one layer of security

Modern vehicles already have security systems such as immobilisers and alarms.

But Greater Manchester Police recommends additional physical security measures, including steering locks, and specifically advises vehicle owners to consider additional security such as tracking devices and Faraday pouches for electronic keys.

For motorhome owners, that could mean combining several measures.

🔐 Steering wheel security

A visible steering wheel lock adds a physical barrier between a thief and the controls.

It's also immediately visible from outside the vehicle.

🔐 Wheel security

Immediately visible from outside the vehicle, a quality wheel clamp provides another physical layer and can make moving the vehicle considerably more difficult.

🔐 Additional locking devices

Depending on your vehicle and circumstances, additional locks can provide another barrier against unauthorised use.

📍 Tracking

A tracker doesn't necessarily stop a vehicle being stolen, but it can provide another layer of protection and may assist with recovery.

Police guidance recommends considering tracking systems for high-value leisure vehicles.

What can you do today?

You don't have to completely rethink your motorhome security overnight.

Start with the basics. Here is our Motorhome security checklist:

Police guidance for motorhomes also recommends recording identifying information and using visible and covert security marking to assist with identification and recovery.

What about when you're on holiday?

Security doesn't stop when you leave your driveway.

Think about where you park overnight, where you stop for fuel and where you leave your motorhome while exploring.

Police advice recommends avoiding dark, secluded parking areas where possible and choosing well-lit, busier locations.

And remember: your motorhome isn't just vulnerable at home.

It's also your vehicle while you're travelling.

Security isn't about being paranoid

It's about being prepared.

Nobody wants to believe their motorhome could be stolen.

But spending a little time thinking about security before something happens is considerably easier than dealing with the consequences afterwards.

The good news is that you don't necessarily need to spend thousands of pounds transforming your motorhome.

Small, sensible changes can add additional layers of protection.

Your motorhome is your home on wheels. Protect it like one.

At The Motorhome Shop, we're building our security range around products designed to help motorhome and campervan owners add extra layers of protection to their vehicles.

From steering wheel security and wheel clamps to other motorhome essentials, we're here to help you make informed choices about protecting your home on wheels.

Stay safe. Stay secure. Keep exploring. 🚐🔐

Sources: Office for National Statistics, Greater Manchester Police, Avon and Somerset Police and police vehicle-crime guidance. Statistics quoted are from the periods stated above.