Revealed: The real scandal behind a stolen caravan, travellers' human rights and a betrayal that makes your

blood BOIL
By Steve Bird PUBLISHED: 00:11, 6 August 2013 | UPDATED: 09:12, 6 August 2013

105 shares 121 View comments

By law, Michael Curry and Kathleen McLelland are, without doubt, the owners of their 30,000 luxury caravan. But because of the lunacy and twisted moral values that govern modern-day officialdom, they are unable to get it back after it was stolen. They cannot take the 26ft caravan on summer trips, enjoy sitting in its roomy lounge, watch the built-in flat-screen television, sleep in the double bed or even get stuck on a winding country lane behind a lorry whose driver has been stupidly sent there by his satnav. In fact, despite their stolen van having been traced by police officers last year, the couple havent even been told where it is.

Katherine McLelland and Michael Curry From Tongham in Surrey, are incandescent after their caravan w as stolen but they w ere told police could do nothing

The reason: a traveller and his family that much-protected species in todays human-rights-obsessed world are now living in it. Police stumbled upon the couples stolen caravan when they went to a travellers site near Hook, Hampshire, to investigate an unrelated criminal matter. The officers duly arrested a 22-year-old traveller on suspicion of theft. However, he conveniently produced a crumpled piece of paper that served, he said, as proof that he had purchased it legally. The man claimed he bought it off a bloke in the back room of a pub.

Katherine McLelland enjoying the luxury 30,000 caravan on holiday before it w as stolen

No questions asked, no log books or documents were exchanged apart from that piece of handwritten paper. Presumably the mystery man who sold the caravan was the thief who forced his way into the Surrey lock-up in 2011 where the couple had placed it for safe-keeping. This man targeted their caravan, no doubt, because the four-berth, pristine Bailey Louisiana was particularly roomy and had been kitted out with the latest valuable gadgets. And then, clearly to raise quick cash, he touted it around a pub for a mere 300. At that price, it was indeed a steal. And, since the traveller acquired this stolen caravan, he and his wife and two children have been living the life of Riley, travelling up and down the country stopping off at sites, meeting friends and relatives to show off their new-found good fortune. While many would say a little common sense should have been applied by police in this case, the officers failed to obtain sufficient evidence to prove the traveller had stolen the caravan or was handling stolen goods.

'That caravan was meant to have set us up for our retirement. We planned to always stay in the UK we love Cornwall, Cumbria and Scotland. This country is so beautiful that you dont need to go anywhere else.'
So, according to the perverse way that so much crime seems to be tackled nowadays, the traveller is still in possession of those stolen goods. No wonder Michael, 53, and Kathleen, 68, from Tongham in Surrey, are incandescent. For they have a real purchase receipt from 2007. They also have the log books, the manual and even a special 17-digit registration certificate matching the code etched onto each window proving it is theirs. That certification system was introduced in 1992 following a spate of caravan thefts (about 1,200 go missing every year). But a fat lot of good the new security safeguard did them! Last September, Kathleen got a phone call from police saying the caravan had been found. The officer said it was on a travellers site and a family was living in it. Michael says: At last, we thought were going to get our caravan back. I mean, why on earth wouldnt we?

Having found the police and the law of no use w hatsoever, the couple decided to approach the Press (here on Day Break) in the hope of highlighting their plight and to alert others w ho m ight suffer the sam e fate

Pow erless: A letter from Ham pshire Constabulary inform ed the couple that officers w ould be unable to retrieve the stolen caravan

But what followed beggars belief. The couple then received a letter from the police saying the forces solicitor had advised that officers had no lawful powers to recover the caravan. It is often said that possession is nine tenths of the law. How true in this case! It seemed clear that, human rights took precedence over common sense and the law. But not the human rights of the law-abiding couple who owned the caravan. They were over-ridden by those of a minority group in this case, travellers. Then, in what seemed a disgraceful example of buck-passing, the officers letter to the couple said: It will be the responsibility of you, as the owner, to start civil proceedings against the current occupier. I sincerely apologise for this decision and I am sure that you feel that the onus has been put back to you, but my hands have been tied due to police powers.

The couple's caravan w as stolen from this storage park in Ham pshire in 2011

Very lamely, the letter ended with the officer adding: If there is anything I can do to help, please do not hesitate to contact me. Michael was told that part of Hampshire polices concern was that local social services might have to become involved in the case and they would need to rehouse the travellers if the stolen caravan was reclaimed. That can take time, he was told. Yet Hart District Council, which runs social services in the area, says it was not approached by police. So, it would appear officers did

not even try to see if the council had accommodation available. Michael has pondered whether police were afraid that if they had tried to seize the caravan, there might be a long stand-off. If the police tried to retrieve it, they would have to go in mob-handed, says Michael. And we all saw what happened with the clashes at Dale Farm (the UKs largest travellers site cost 7million to clear forcibly in 2011).

Kathleen and Michael w ere told police couldn't retreive their stolen 30,000 caravan because officers had no legal pow ers to rem ove the traveller fam ily

And so the traveller and his family, it seems, were beyond the reach of the law. Matters werent helped by the fact that the Home Office allows each police force to interpret the law in its own way. Michael says: We knew that if we took the civil law route to reclaim what was rightfully ours, the traveller would simply hitch up the caravan and leave, and we would have to wait until someone spotted it again. Its as though the traveller has human rights but we dont. Im speechless. As the legal owner, it seems we have no rights. The whole experience has been harrowing. Jill Lorimer, a solicitor specialising in criminal law at the firm Kingsley Napley, is perplexed by the case. Legally, stolen goods remain the property of the original owner, she says, speaking in general terms about the law surrounding handling stolen goods. Even if the current possessor purchased the items in good faith, it does not change the fact that the legal title to the items remains with the original owner. The items should therefore be returned to the owner. However, the problem is that where the current possessor is not subject to any criminal proceedings for theft or handling stolen goods, the police may not have a specific power to seize the goods and return them to the original owner even when the police accept that he is the true owner. Michael shrugs at this ridiculous impasse. Obviously, I cant say for sure that this man took it. But, if he did pay 300 for it, he must have known it was stolen. The price was too good to be true. I guess he just doesnt give a damn. Michael, a former HGV driver who had to retire after developing diabetes, and Kathleen, a hospital ward clerk, are not in the habit of causing a fuss. They are still paying 250-a-month for a loan they took out to buy the caravan. Their insurance on the van had run out so they couldnt claim for the theft. The recent spell of good weather has made them even more angry at the polices refusal to recover their stolen vehicle, because they cant enjoy going on holiday in it. Despite the amazing weather, weve been stuck at home, Michael says. We cant afford to buy another caravan and havent had a holiday this year. That caravan was meant to have set us up for our retirement. We planned to always stay in the UK we love Cornwall, Cumbria and Scotland. This country is so beautiful that you dont need to go anywhere else.

Dale Farm the UK's largest travellers' site cost 7m illion to clear forcibly in 2011

Having found the police and the law of no use whatsoever, the couple decided to approach the Press in the hope of highlighting their plight and to alert others who might suffer the same fate. For their part, Hampshire police wont say what they were initially investigating when they went to the travellers site or whether the traveller who now lives in the stolen caravan was a suspect in that investigation or, for that matter, whether anyone was charged with any crime. However, the public outrage following publication of the couples story has, not surprisingly, meant that the police have belatedly reopened the investigation into Michael and Kathleens stolen caravan. A police spokeswoman says: The legal advice sought at the time in relation to our powers to seize the caravan has been reviewed and we are exploring what further action can be taken. Sadly, this renewed interest in tackling this crime comes too late. It seems the traveller family have left their site in Hook and disappeared. There was no sign of them or the caravan this week. It is a year since the traveller was questioned by police. Perish the thought, though, that his precious human rights might be breached rather than try to make sure that a law-abiding couple have their stolen 30,000 caravan returned.

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Comments (117)
Newest Oldest Best rated Worst rated View best 10 Page 1 of 3 123Next So why is that if you innocently buy a stolen car the police will return it to the rightful owner ? - NotMyFault, Yorkshire, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 8:06 Click to rate Report abuse Welcome to the wonderful world that was created by Blair and Co during their 13 years in power. - Ranterfourone, Kirkcudbright, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 8:07 Click to rate Report abuse How the hell can this be right? - Master of Twiddly, New Eldorado, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 8:08 Click to rate Report abuse i would stop paying for it and let it be repossessed - ssshhh, southampton hampshire, 6/8/2013 2:01 Click to rate Report abuse What sort of parallel universe is the UK now inhabiting? - Lesley, New Zealand, 6/8/2013 3:45 Click to rate Report abuse The police and government are cowards, if this was a royal caravan it would be back with it's owner's - mad, london, 6/8/2013 3:39 Click to rate Rating 862 Rating 933 Rating 1062 Rating 1077 Rating 1092 Rating 1264

Report abuse As usual the plod just roll over and let public down, all they are fit for these days is giving out parking tickets, Oh sorry someone else has already got that job. - happyone, Newham, 6/8/2013 8:09 Click to rate Report abuse Britain is fast becoming a laughing stock ,what has happened to you my once beloved country? try that out here in Thailand and see how far you would get. - thenervoussurgeon, Pattaya, Thailand, 6/8/2013 3:58 Click to rate Report abuse This has to be a joke. Commit a crime and you cannot be punished because your human rights would be infringed. What about the human rights of the victim.The law is definitely an ass !! - Dallas Kidman, Port of Spain, 6/8/2013 5:05 Click to rate Report abuse HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. The UK is now way past rock bottom. Stone cold broke and floating like an unanchored island. Unable to control its future destiny, migration and now theft has been legalised. - Les, Perth, Australia, 6/8/2013 8:07 Click to rate Report abuse So isn't this setting a precedence regarding stolen goods? - steve, wales, 6/8/2013 4:57 Click to rate Report abuse "My blood isn't boiling. One less caravan to get in my way when I am driving. I am sure the caravan was insured. ChrisLndn , London, United Kingdom, 06/8/2013 07:37 " Obviously your contempt for caravan owners stopped you reading the story properly! It clearly states that the insurance had lapsed. I wish people wouldn't comment if they haven't read the article. - Ummm, Earth, 6/8/2013 8:08 Click to rate Report abuse I hope there is some way to sue the police. - Tinky Winky, Brazil, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 3:41 Click to rate Report abuse **writes on paper** the owner of this piece of paper is the next queen of England! I'VE GOT IT IN WRITING IT MUST BE TRUE!!!! - avadinuf, grimsby uk, 6/8/2013 8:07 Click to rate Report abuse People wonder why there is no respect for the law. This goes some way to providing an answer. - NotoEU., Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 7:11 Click to rate Report abuse ridiculous - moral in the tale, keep insurance up to date ! - chloejsb, Gosport England, 6/8/2013 8:06 Click to rate Report abuse Terrible story. The police should have recovered the caravan and charged the people living in it for handling stolen goods! The law is ridiculous, it does not belong to the people living in it so it should have been returned to the owners. Hope they get their caravan back! Good luck. - surreygirl, london, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 7:13 Click to rate Report abuse You read stories like this and wonder why tax avoidance schemes (legal) and even tax evasion (illegal) is on the increase ? It's not the paying of tax that's abhorrent it's how it is used once you've paid it and this is just another example. Come back confrontation all is forgiven and it will! - Lauren Awder, Victoria. B.C., Canada, 6/8/2013 1:27 Click to rate Report abuse "The only human rights issue would be depriving the people living in the caravan (including children) of their home" - Ken Crabshaw It's not THEIR home though, is it? If you went on holiday and Rating 191 Rating 205 Rating 288 Rating 334 Rating 345 Rating 413 Rating 512 Rating 585 Rating 595 Rating 672 Rating 716 Rating 731

somebody moved into your house, would it then br against their human rights to get them out? Where do you draw the line? They are l living in a caravan that doesn't belong to them - how do they have any right to keep it? - Ehills, Bournemouth, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 7:49 Click to rate Report abuse It is quite clear that the people living in the caravan are at the very least handling stolen goods. Of course the police should take it back. As usual though, the Police can't be bothered with the stress of performing any actual policing - they're far more happy doing less stressful work like operating manual speed traps, accident investigation, cordoning off roads. Heaven forbid that they actually uphold the law and protect the public! - Scorpion, Lichfield, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 7:50 Click to rate Report abuse Sue the police for the price of your caravan due to incompetence - Welshman, Cardiff, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 8:05 Click to rate Report abuse This country is slowly but surely going down the pan. - Ms Ellanias, NO INFOMATION WARE., United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 7:50 Click to rate Report abuse This is why i hate the people who run our Country, the 3 main Parties have completely failed us. It is now UKIP for me. - robin123, leeds, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 7:50 Click to rate Report abuse Well folks that's what we are paying our taxes for to have ourselves and our goods protected by the hardworking police farce . - Newt the beaut, Malpas, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 7:10 Click to rate Report abuse This story was covered previously. The only 'human rights' issue would be depriving the people currently living in the caravan (including children) of their home. This is a misleading and spiteful article. - Ken Crabshaw , Basildon, United Kingdom, 06/8/2013 06:59 I bet you wouldn't say that if homeless people stol your car and started living in it. - anthony farrar, worthing, 6/8/2013 7:35 Click to rate Report abuse Paying 300, 1% of the real value of the caravan is evidence enough in itself to suggest the new owner was aware that it was stolen and therefore could be convicted of being in possession of stolen goods. - HK reader, Hong Kong, 6/8/2013 6:17 Click to rate Report abuse Disgusting! - A.thompson, Bath, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 7:54 Click to rate Report abuse Startling news that each police area fiefdom can interpret the law as they wish, sounds like the middle ages. - johnnyboy, manchester, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 8:03 Click to rate Report abuse If the owners stopped repaying the loan - would that not force the finance company to repossess the caravan ? - John, Lincoln, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 7:51 Click to rate Report abuse these stories just breed more resentment to what's goin on in this country.. - Iceni tribesman, east anglia, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 7:21 Click to rate Report abuse This is all done in the name of political correctness. Tony Blair should be ashamed of himself, the human rights fiasco marches on. Roll on 2015 when we can consign all the current useless MP's to the sewer they belong in. The McCellen's have my deepest sympathy. Rating 104 Rating 106 Rating 118 Rating 120 Rating 124 Rating 126 Rating 127 Rating 133 Rating 134 Rating 135 Rating 141 Rating 158

- Winston Churchill, birmingham, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 7:37 Click to rate Report abuse god help any one else who owns a caravan, its licence to steal, just hand write yourself a little note, - Mrs Tavi, Tavistock, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 7:53 Click to rate Report abuse SO, if they get away with it, what is stopping these people doing it over and over again (right) - old timer, cardiff south glamorgan, 6/8/2013 7:34 Click to rate Report abuse The Police are now liable for the return or replacement of this stolen caravan. Give them two weeks to send you a cheque for the replacement cost, plus lost use and cost of any holidays you took during the last year and then SUE THEM. and if you feel so inclined claim for the distress caused. - happy, norfolk, 6/8/2013 7:30 Click to rate Report abuse Plod...no longer fit for purpose ! - Grytpype Thynne, Little Toddington-on-sea, 6/8/2013 7:51 Click to rate Report abuse Where are the human rights for the victims in this country? - Pure English, Surrey, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 6:40 Click to rate Report abuse We now live in a sick twisted country. - Callan, Liverpool, 6/8/2013 6:26 Click to rate Report abuse Sick Britain, what's left of it. - David - Thailand, Chonburi, 6/8/2013 6:58 Click to rate Report abuse Keep Ireland tidy, dump your rubbish in England. - Bazman, Essex, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 7:51 Click to rate Report abuse When the law-abiding, tax-paying, hard-working, decent folk that still remain in England decide to have a revolution against the grotesque injustices they are daily subjected to, my prediction, made ten years ago, will come true. - Scroggins, Florida, United States, 6/8/2013 3:50 Click to rate Report abuse If you unwittingly buy a car that has been stolen it is reposessed and returned to it's rightful owner so, what's the difference here? - stephenbuttriss, nauort, Germany, 6/8/2013 5:51 Click to rate Report abuse Our wonderful boys in blue! At least they're consistent. This does look like a perfect opportunity to sue the pants off them for not acting for the owners when they had the chance and allowing the stolen property to be moved out of reach. Disgraceful. Do you remember when the British police force were the pride and envy of the world? I do. Now they are just another PC government department in it for the money and looking after the dodgy minorities. - Vicious Sid, Larnaka, Cyprus, 6/8/2013 7:37 Click to rate Report abuse Police......Not fit for purpose!!! - Martin, York, 6/8/2013 5:02 Click to rate Rating 89 Rating 91 Rating 92 Rating 94 Rating 95 Rating 95 Rating 96 Rating 97 Rating 98 Rating 98 Rating 100 Rating 102 Rating 103

Report abuse The law seems strange to me. I think the person who bought it would be guilty of receiving stolen goods here or at least not have any legal right to the vehicle. I don't think buying in good faith gives you title to stolen property here. If the law is different there would anybody like to sell me some London real estate cheaply? If the squatters had a legally created right to live in it I would think that the real owners could take action to evict them within 30 days. The police not informing them of the whereabouts of their property seems like the police avoiding future paper work. What has happened to common sense? - Joe, Ohio, 6/8/2013 7:33 Click to rate Report abuse The police should give him the full value of h caravan police idiots - Geoffrey, Upton, Wirral, UK, 6/8/2013 7:40 Click to rate Report abuse the couple should sue the police - jasper17, Camberley, 6/8/2013 7:25 Click to rate Report abuse Come on Cameron, if the law is such an ass, it would take one afternoon of parliamentary time to change it. Oops. I forgot the more pressing issues like who gets to be head benefit recipient and new ways to lick the present incumbent's boots. - Rich, South Normanton, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 7:53 Click to rate Report abuse When the last sane person leaves this country could they please switch off the lights? - livelong, London, 6/8/2013 5:55 Click to rate Report abuse This is another of the coalition-inspired cases that will dictate the way I won't be voting in future. - Bill Tort, Durham, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 7:07 Click to rate Report abuse The police should be made to buy them a new caravan - Geoff, Birmingham, 6/8/2013 7:25 Click to rate Report abuse He knew damn well it was stolen. The proof of purchase note is a ploy squatters use but the fact remains the van was stolen and he should be kicked out of it. - English Bob, The once Great Britain, 6/8/2013 8:00 Click to rate Report abuse Surely the person who is currently in the caravan should be prosecuted for receiving stolen goods? Even our ridiculous courts surely are not going to accept that someone genuinely believed he could buy such an item in a pub legitimately for the price of 300? This case makes a mockery of "justice". - Nell from Falkirk, Falkirk, 6/8/2013 7:58 Click to rate Report abuse Are the new residents in possession of stolen goods, why is that law not working any more. I feel very sorry for the owners who seem to be left high and dry by the law, but what a shame they were not insured. - lamacat, truro, 6/8/2013 6:30 Click to rate Report abuse They know all the tricks if I was caught with an brand new Aston Martin that I bought for 300 pounds in a pub would I be allowed to keep it if I said my family live in it? just asking - Tom, Adelaide, 6/8/2013 4:53 Click to rate Report abuse In Australia we would refer to Michael and Kathleen as " grey nomads " they are the older generation who have worked all thier lives ..bought up thier kids ..payed thier taxes etc ...so after the kids have finally flown the nest they buy a caravan ..or a Winnebago type vehicle...and then they set of to see thier own country .. Maybe they need to make sure the registration number becomes well known so if it is spotted then they will know where thier caravan is .It is so sad to see them robbed of the pleasure of becoming a pair of "grey nomads " - Dianne Ward, Ipswich Queensland, 6/8/2013 0:00 I don't know if we have a term for it here in the States, but my parents do this. They are in their 70's, and they bought a nice travel trailer. They go all over the country, and into Canada. My father would live in one full-time if my mother agreed to it. I'm glad we don't have loony laws like that here. They really should have kept up the insurance and had theft coverage. - Larry, Arkansas, United States, 6/8/2013 6:10 Rating 66 Rating 67 Rating 68 Rating 71 Rating 72 Rating 72 Rating 73 Rating 74 Rating 76 Rating 79 Rating 88

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Absurd and tragic. I thought it was long established in law that if you bought something at a fraction of its real value that the 'bought in good faith argument' was not valid. Shows how important it is to have a tracker device in valuable vehicles. - Given Up., Berlin, 6/8/2013 6:40 Click to rate Report abuse And you wonder why the crime rate is falling! - krampus, hull, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 8:03 Click to rate Report abuse Do they not have any sort of redress against the storage company, as obviously their security was not up to much? - lizzie, aberdare, 6/8/2013 4:09 Click to rate Report abuse There we go,,,,, Crime Pays in UK ! - swampy, Chatham, 6/8/2013 8:01 Click to rate Report abuse If only it was a MP's caravan stolen. It would have been returned ASAP. All in it together Dave, - Tony, Petersfield, 6/8/2013 7:47 Click to rate Report abuse THIS.......is why I am now an expat.....the BAD GUYS while the innocent suffer ! - paul martin, Tokyo, Japan, 6/8/2013 4:04 Click to rate Report abuse the staggering contempt our politicians show the majority of us - the stress, anger, complete despair, and overall negative effect on the mental health of the majority of us having to endure these things while we work day-in, day-out, and get taxed to the hilt. is clearly of no concern to them whatsoever - shameful situation and they are well on the way to completely destroying what our countless ancestors fought and worked their whole lives for - gavin scott, kent, 6/8/2013 8:03 Click to rate Report abuse When will councils set a minimum IQ level for employee's !. - Michael, Haverfordwest, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 5:58 Click to rate Report abuse The caravan is stolen, thieves!! - pete, on a train, 6/8/2013 7:48 Click to rate Report abuse These people are still paying 250:00 per month for the loan they took out to buy the caravan. WHY? Why did they allow the insurance on the caravan laps? Why is the company they were paying for storage not being held responsible for the theft from their property? Why have the Keystone Cops washed their hands of this obvious theft when the owners can prove legal entitlement? There is more to this story than we are being told? - Richard, Khon Kaen, Thailand, 6/8/2013 4:45 Click to rate Report abuse Don't think much of their Insurance company............................... Bye now a good one would have towed it away and brought it back to them. Or at least pay them out. - Ann, Perth, 6/8/2013 7:54 ====================== What insurance company? Presumably you didn't bother to actually read all of the article before commenting - it does state quite clearly that their insurance had run out.......? - Chronicler, temp expat in Middle East, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 6:55 Click to rate Report abuse Yes, take a cival action case, but against Hampshire Police! I've heard everything now! - Andrew47 Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 8:02 Click to rate Rating 49 Rating 50 Rating 53 Rating 54 Rating 56 Rating 57 Rating 58 Rating 60 Rating 61 Rating 63 Rating 64 Rating 64

Report abuse Hmm...well this might not be the worst news. By the same logic I'm guessing that my human right to water means I can stop paying my rates bill, yes? - Pinball Wizard, Sheffield, 6/8/2013 4:45 Click to rate Report abuse Hampshire Police need to grow a sack! - moorey, sarraco, 6/8/2013 7:27 Click to rate Report abuse Would you want the caravan back after it's been "lived" in by these "people", I wouldnt ! - siwire68, Cheshire, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 7:48 Click to rate Report abuse Stop paying for it and have the new "owner" billed in full. - Angry, UK, 6/8/2013 5:54 Click to rate Report abuse How can you not have insurance on such a expensive caravan. - big geoff, york, 6/8/2013 5:54 Click to rate Report abuse The police powers referred to in the penultimate paragraph are an oxymoron since the police don't seem to have any powers. - Kate, Melbourne, 6/8/2013 5:43 Click to rate Report abuse If the caravan belonged to a Politician or Councillor I doubt very much it would be the same outcome...... - Birricchinoman, Gothenburg, 6/8/2013 4:40 Click to rate Report abuse How can it be that the law is there to protect the perpetrators of crime and not the poor recipients? - Barry58, Reading, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 4:34 Click to rate Report abuse In Australia we would refer to Michael and Kathleen as " grey nomads " they are the older generation who have worked all thier lives ..bought up thier kids ..payed thier taxes etc ...so after the kids have finally flown the nest they buy a caravan ..or a Winnebago type vehicle...and then they set of to see thier own country .. Maybe they need to make sure the registration number becomes well known so if it is spotted then they will know where thier caravan is .It is so sad to see them robbed of the pleasure of becoming a pair of "grey nomads " - Dianne Ward, Ipswich Queensland, 6/8/2013 6:00 Click to rate Report abuse Who said crime doesn't pay? it clearly does. - Fed Up, Witham, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 7:43 Click to rate Report abuse Pathetic, my god I'm so glad I left the UK, justice? What a laff.... - Tony, Auckland NZ, 6/8/2013 7:43 Click to rate Report abuse Trouble with this country, knowone does anything to sort it out! - Joneser82, Trowbridge, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 8:00 Click to rate Report abuse What has happened to the marche ouverte test for the passing of title? - Eyeball, Liverpool, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 7:14 Rating 32 Rating 33 Rating 37 Rating 38 Rating 38 Rating 39 Rating 42 Rating 43 Rating 45 Rating 45 Rating 45 Rating 46

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Did they not have insurance?........................At that price the "new" owners knew they were buying stolen goods................Can't they be arrested for that? - GBTTFN, Central, United States, 6/8/2013 4:42 Click to rate Report abuse Did someone mention two legged rats? - sagalaut, tavira, 6/8/2013 8:01 Click to rate Report abuse I would sue the police for dereliction of duty, irrespective of human rights issues the first crime should be dealt with by the police if they know where it is, they are duty bound to recover it. No one is above the law in this country. - Philip, Nottingham, 6/8/2013 7:29 Click to rate Report abuse Wow it seems every time I think we here in the United States have pulled out front in the Lunacy Races (the race to destroy our own, once civilized, society); I feel a rush of wind and see the UK go whizzing past to retake the lead. Are other, non English speaking, first world, Western, societies as messed up as the the USA and UK are with all the crazy BS? France, Germany, anyone??? - Will, Irvine, 6/8/2013 7:29 Click to rate Report abuse Yet again only in the UK!!!! certainly not in France Germany Italy et al - catch22, Poole, 6/8/2013 7:29 Click to rate Report abuse Old story. I suppose the police are too scared to do anything. - notpastityet, Glos, 6/8/2013 7:55 Click to rate Report abuse I'd love to know what the caravan insurers take on this was, have they paid out I wonder, and would they have to give the insurance money back now that it has been found. but of course the world has gone mad in any event. - Himagain, Aberdyfi, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 3:51 Click to rate Report abuse I would sue the police for dereliction of duty, irrespective of human rights issues the first crime should be dealt with by the police if they know where it is, they are duty bound to recover it. No one is above the law in this country. - Philip, Nottingham, 6/8/2013 7:27 Click to rate Report abuse If the owners stopped repaying the loan - would that not force the finance company to repossess the caravan ? - John, Lincoln - no. They can only repossess from the debtors. - Bingster, Coventry,UK, 6/8/2013 7:59 Click to rate Report abuse With all this publicity you can bet the caravan has been moved, what a disgrace the Hampshire Police force is. When the army comes back from Afghanistan send them to get the caravan back. - Peter F, Bondi, 6/8/2013 7:55 Click to rate Report abuse The police should give him the full value of h caravan police idiots - Geoffrey , Upton, Wirral, UK, 06/8/2013 07:40************The Police do NOT make up the Laws. You want to blame anyone for these lunacy, blame the Voter. If the Voter fails to force the Government to change these Laws, they only have themselves to blame. Example:-----"Squatter's Rights".....look how long that took to get people out of houses in London. In one case, almost 70 YEARS. - Patrick, Belfast, 6/8/2013 7:57 Click to rate Report abuse My car was a third of the cost of this caravan and is fitted with an anti theft device. Seems to me some form of anti theft device is needed for caravans. A cast iron lockable cover over the tow hitch might be a start together with an audible warning. How about removing a wheel ? !! - Major Rodney, North East Thailand, 6/8/2013 7:57 Click to rate Rating 11 Rating 12 Rating 16 Rating 19 Rating 20 Rating 22 Rating 22 Rating 23 Rating 25 Rating 25 Rating 26 Rating 28

Report abuse People who live outside our society and our rules, shouldn't be protected by them. This is a shocking story. - Chris, West LOTHIAN, 6/8/2013 8:21 Click to rate Report abuse I've previously read on many occasions of innocent people buying a stolen car and the police knocking on their door, recovering the vehicle and returning it to the original owner. What is the difference here I ask? - hweaver, Newcastle, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 8:42 Click to rate Report abuse The police are scared witless of travellers, a few months ago a builder had an almost new truck stolen from his driveway but when he heard it being started he called the police and chased after it in his car to a local traveller site but when the police arrived, although the van was visible from where they stood the police refused to go and get it, they even refused to allow the owner to go and get it. We have laws in place to deal with this type of criminal activity we just need a police force that will do its job. - Bill, Wasp in the South, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 8:39 Click to rate Report abuse Remember people, crime does pay. - Spencer, Surrey, 6/8/2013 8:44 Click to rate Report abuse The police are just cowards in cases like this. - John, Bridgend, 6/8/2013 8:49 Click to rate Report abuse An OUTRAGE!!!!!!! What are our Government and the Police thinking of?????? Would it be possible to sue both Police and Government??....I don't think I could sit back without having a go at something......The Laws should be changed to Protect the innocent, NOT the travelers!!!! - Nell, In the North, 6/8/2013 5:58 Click to rate Report abuse It is rubbish to blame Human Rights over this, I buy a car in good faith but am later informed by the police that it is a cloned stolen vehicle, the police take the car being stolen property and I lose my money. The same should have applied with this van. Would I lose MY Human Rights, and home, were I to find on returning from holiday that a family of gypsies had moved in? - Redcapfred, Hinckley, 6/8/2013 4:19 Click to rate Report abuse I'm sure the 'traveller' would be put up by his family and fellow travellers if the caravan were to be siezed. Why is it that those who do not contribute by paying their axes and NI contributions get the most out of our society/? we give give give and get nothing back. This couple have human rights too. It's about time the law stood up for us decent law abiding citizens. - Ellen, South of England, United Kingdom, 6/8/2013 8:44 Click to rate Report abuse Share this comment Page 1 of 3 123Next The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Rating 4 Rating 5 Rating 5 Rating 5 Rating 5 Rating 5 Rating 7 Rating 9

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