Coach operators and drivers warned after spate of thefts from parked tourers
Coach operators and drivers are being warned to be extra vigilant after a spate of thefts from parked touring coaches has plagued the popular South Devon resort of Babbacombe in Torquay.
Devon & Cornwall Police (DCP) confirmed there have been several incidents since the New Year: “Overnight on December 30, 2014, a white Jonckheere coach had the driver’s side window smashed outside the Ashley Court Hotel on Abbey Road. A quantity of cash and some foodstuffs were stolen.
“At the same time and location, a Volvo coach owned by Brent Thomas Travel was broken into, with the front offside window smashed. £50 in cash was stolen. Outside the Seascape Hotel on the same night there were a further two break-ins. Foodstuffs were stolen from a green Scania coach parked at the Seascape Hotel by smashing glass in front door.”
Asked by CBW if any arrests had been made, the DCP spokesman replied: “No arrests have been made in relation to these crimes. However, there has been an arrest in relation to CR/000072/15 which involves the theft from a white Temsa coach parked in a car park at Shedden Hill Torquay, on January 1 at 0200hrs. Entry was gained via the emergency exit and cash stolen. A 30-year old local man has been charged in relation to this. He was bailed to appear at court on March 2.”
One of the operators affected by the attacks is Darren Swann of Blackpool-based Swann Tours. He told CBW: “We go to Babbacombe regularly. It’s not so much the value of what they take but the cost of repairing the damage they cause – it cost us quite a large sum last year. I’ve taken to putting a dust sheet over the driver’s seat so that if the window is broken, the leather seat doesn’t get torn when the thieves stand on it.
“Hopefully something will be done. I’m glad CBW is highlighting the issue. I know Llandudno isn’t perfect but at least entry to the Builder Street West coach park has a degree of control over it. Like Southport, Llandudno has a gated compound – something others could learn a lot from. In Torquay the coach park in unfenced.”
Another driver reported on the Coach Drivers North & South forum how the thieves gained access via the continental door. While nothing was stolen, it was “ransacked and trashed inside.”
There is a common belief among operators and drivers that two individuals are behind the break-ins as there are many parallels. The driver’s window is smashed using, it is believed, a stolen emergency hammer. They then open the door or climb in through the window. Replacement costs are considerable, reportedly being about £1,000 for a Setra and £650 for a Van Hool.
DCP told CBW that “prevention is always better than cure” – and that any items giving an indication of what may be inside should be removed, such as any bags or any empty cups on top of the coffee machine as they may lead thieves the think there are coins in there.
However, one driver revealed a useful tip: “Put cardboard down on the floor so that if your window gets smashed and they get into your coach, they will step on it and the police will have footprints off it. That came off the police officer when they attended my vehicle.”
