Hi fellow campers.We spent this weekend gone at Scottburgh with our grandson,the park was quite empty and we noticed security walking around the park all day,we were unaware that the park has a no bicycles policy but when our grandson got on his bike the security was there in a flash to stop him.We packed the bike away and felt secure in the knowlege that this park has good security.Sunday night we sat up late and went to bed just after midnite.I zipped the full tent closed and went to bed,we left the caravan door open as the full tent was up.At around 4 am my wife wanted to go to the ladies,she noticed the tent was unzipped and wide open.When we switched the lights on we noticed that we had been burgled while we slept.They had brazenly unzipped our tent walked in to our caravan and helped themselves to our cell phones cameras and my grandsons bicycle.They even went through my wifes handbag inside the van as all the contents were strewn around the full tent area.We did not hear a thing. We could have been murdered in our sleep and I shudder to think what would have happened if we awoke, we might have been stabbed to death..This got me thinking when you are in your van you are all alone you cannot rely on park security for your personal protection.What we need is a buddy buddy system where we keep a police whistle in our vans and if one is attacked or in need of help just blow the whistle and fellow campers come to that persons aid.Lets face it crime is now hitting the caravan parks and we as campers need to stand together, not avoid going camping.What do you guys think of that idea.

Hallo Clive. So sorry to hear of your loss and shock. The whistle -Excellent idea. However you mentioned that you didn't hear anything whilst all this happened. Why? Is it possible that some kind of spray was used to put you to sleep? It seems we will have to resort to some kind of alarm / beam to secure our belongings in the tent. This might be a disturbance if you accidentally set it off during the night, but with your safety at stake - it might be worth it. Next time I will definately lock the inside door of our van. What a pity that we cannot even go on holiday anymore and feel safe. We are old Scottburgh campers and never even used to close our tent door. Toys and chairs were always left outside - no problem. We all have to wake up to the New south Africa - what a pity!

What was the number of the stand - please, if I may ask?

Clive What a frightening experience. An important consideration for me is Management's reaction to the unfortunate incident. Were they supportive?

Hi Francis, I dont think spray was used, I think we were over tired and fell into a deep sleep.They also broke into another caravan two sites away from me.He told me he heard something in his van. but by the time he got up to investigate they had already left with some vanity bags.We were camped on site 137.It is a sea facing site, which makes it a easy target for criminals.Scottburgh is a lovely park and I will still go back.Just got to take more precautions.I have bought that sensor with an alarm that you mentioned and a small lock to lock the zippers.Enjoy your camping and hope to meet you at scottburgh some day.

Hi Redj, Management was very supportive and concerned, they even phoned the police for us.We enquired why they dont put up pallisade fencing on the sea facing sites.The reply was that the land belongs to the municipality and they are not permitted to erect fencing.On a poitive note however the police informed us that this is a very unfortunate incident as they have not had any complaints of theft from this park for a very lomg time.One must just be more vigilant and not become complacent.

Had a similar experience when camping at Msinsi Shongweni Dam - a fully fenced (razor wired) site that is locked up at night and with 3 security guards on patrol duty 24/7. Got out of my tent at about 01:00 to answer mother natures call and found my luggage trailer had been burgled. Must have disturbed them as there were a number of items left lying around the trailer. Fellow campers woke up, helped me scout the surroundings and found some items that had been dropped during getaway about 20-30 meters from campsite - also checked the gate which was still locked and no holes in the fence. Site manager contacted who arrived about 1 hour later BUT the security patrols were only found 3 hours later after he had to go and pick them up on "the other side" of the park - very suspicious after we had about six people with powerful flashlights that had been up and about in all that time. We now have 4 remote sensor alarms - one for the tent, gazebo, boat and luggage trailer. Sad to say but I am now even suspicious of security staff on site. Also advisable to check insurance cover - I found mine lacking after many items on my claim were not honoured - fishing tackle, tool kit etc.

Hi Theo Sorry to hear of your experience.We used to go there regularly but dont go there anymore,Someone got stabbed in those cabins on stilts near the waters edge.I am inclined to agree with you with security.They could be in cahoots with the criminals and can pass on vital information to them.

Hi TheoR. Where did you buy your remote sensor alarms and if I may ask, what was the price per unit? I looked on internet but cannot seem to find the right thing. Thank you.

Hi Francis I bought my units from a Game store in Umhlanga Rocks at a cost of around R150.00 each. I can't tell you the make as I have thrown the packaging away and there are no labels on the units themselves. They are marketed as home security alarms - the units can be attached to the ceiling in a room and the motion detector sheds a 360 degree cone shaped beam about 7 meters in diameter down onto the floor. The alarm and motion sensor are together in one unit which holds 4 x C,R14 batteries 1,5v. Each unit comes with 2 remote buttons to activate or deactivate the alarm. In my gazebo I strap one unit to the overhead pole with a cable tie and in my trailer I lie one inside with the sensor facing up, activate it and close the lid. Most home security stores stock remote alarm systems but most of them have the alarm separate from the sensor and you have the alarm at your bedside. I opted for the alarm/sensor combo together as I would rather chase the intruders away than have to confront them.

Hi Theo. Thank you very much. I will definately go to look for it there.

Just paging thru the new Caravan and Outdoor Life mag today and saw an page 64 that this resort got a three star rating. The question from me however is: how does the security issue of resorts effect the ratings?

Willie's bit. Hi Clive – sorry to hear about your unfortunate experience at Scottburgh. We must not let this affect our attitude towards camping, but learn from it. It makes sense to have a sensor installed, and I for one will make haste and acquire one. Dot, (my wife) and I spend in the region of 26 weeks a year in our van, calling at over 100 caravan parks throughout the country, doing their grading assessments, sorting out their Internet requirements as well as discussing and updating their Holiday Destination Guide entries. Boring job this! We even get paid to camp! We have camped at Scottburgh many, many times – virtually two to three times a year, and personally have never experienced any security problems. I am also the Assessor that does the National Star grading of Scottburgh, and yes, security does feature very much within the grading criteria. I try to spend at least two nights in a caravan park with our van when doing the grading assessment. This allows me to “get a feel” for security, as well as offers me the opportunity to discuss the security feelings with fellow campers in the park. If I cannot stay in the park, I definitely talk to other campers in the park at the time. On each occasion at Scottburgh, I was very much aware of patrolling guards at night. I make a point of getting up two or three times during the night and look out for security. (I also take a water tablet at night before retiring – Doctors orders – medical reasons- you know – and have to go every two or three hours or so.) I'm glad to hear that Scottburgh Management were very supportive – I expect no less of Scottburgh. I know that all Municipal land leading onto the beach cannot be fenced – some Municipal ordinance – I have experienced this issue at numerous Municipal owned resorts during my travels. Thats my ten cents worth - “Carry on Camping” and lets take the necessary precautions and not get too lax. Regards. Willie Bromehead CaravanParks.com

Interesting to hear that they inforce the "no bicycle" policy so strickly. When I was there in desember 07 the bicycle's and motorbikes was a real menace not to mention the speeding cars. The bicycles traveled at speeds well in excess of the camps speedlimit for cars, a bicycle hitting someone or a child at that speed could be fatal. Its a pitty that most campsites dont inforce their rules constantly. I've been to too many camps where there is a rule in bold about loud music and it doesn't get inforced even if you complain to the management and security. Unfortunately camping is still the cheapest holiday for some and this allows for some hooligans to enter the grounds. Thats why rules should be inforced stricktly to keep them at bay.

Yes we got a mind to visit Scottburgh during September. Anybody got an idea where to find "people' outside off schoolholidays out of season.
We also have been robbed during out of season camping trips, therefore we are quite wary where we go camping out of season

We will be visiting Scottburgh c/park 6-14 Sep, hope to see you there Fransvn

It is basically a mind set. If we go camping you are a easy tardet. There is a big difference between thick brick wall and a solid wooden door not to speak off the burglar proofing and safety gates.

Security in a resort or even a "security village" is as good as the guy guarding the gate. Or walkind arround. Do you realy know him. What is his background and circumstances at home? Yet we trust him just because he is called a security guard.

We must WAKE UP! ! ! ! ! ! !. Security in and around your campsite is the sole responsibility of ourselves no one else.

How secure are you when you camp. Do you leave valuables in your caravan when you go to the beach or shop? See how secure your van is. Grab any perspex window while it is locked and secured on the bottom middel side and give it a jerk. You will find that with very little effort and without the perspex cracking or braking your window gives way and opens up.

So intruders can go into your van take what they want close the window again properly and leave through the door locking it again with out you even noticing it except when you start to short what they have taken.

Kooooowwwweeeeee if you are camping just a reminder you are still in South Africa. The security fences and locks can be of whatever quality. The moment the key of the gate is put into a MAN'S hand the security is as good as HE wants it to be.

I have some of these portable Infrared Eye alarms it is aparent that I will have to start using it as a rule. Even have that alarm kit that phone you when your the alarm is triggered.

Haven't done anything yet to get it installed other than buying it. I know someday I am going to kick myself for not doing it.

Maybe a new thread on general resort security would be better? When I saw the latest posting under the current heading I thought something happened recently at Scotties just to discover this is actual a thread about a particular incident that happened in 2007, seven years ago! Surely this is no longer relevant?