Family distraught after fully-loaded caravan stolen just days before holiday

They had booked their trip away back in June 2020.

A family in Rothley who had been planning their trip away for over a year, had their caravan stolen less than a week before they were due to set off to North Devon.

After getting it fully ready, Miles Parry-Jones returned the trailer, worth in excess of £25,000, to their storage site in Queniborough on Sunday (18th July) evening. 

They had to fill it up that weekend due to work commitments in the coming week, Leonie Parry-Jones told us.

"My husband rang me on Monday morning saying the site had called him to say that our caravan had been stolen," Leonie said.

"My five-year-old daughter heard him on the phone and began crying bless her. She was just so excited for this holiday as were we."

Although their caravan is insured, there are long waiting lists for new caravans due to the pandemic. Furthermore they will not be going on holiday this summer due to the demand for UK hotels and holiday homes.

Leonie said some of the places they had looked at were asking for over £2,000 for five days, something which they cannot afford.

Their post has been shared over 5,000 times on Facebook and Leonie said they had been inundated with offers ranging from tests to borrowing other people's caravans.

"We've been overwhelmed by the messages and offers...but we know how expensive caravans are and if these things come in threes, we don't want to cause someone else to lose theirs."

Regarding the incident, a Leicestershire Police spokesperson said:

"Officers have received a report of a theft at a farm on Melton Road, Queniborough.

"It is believed to have taken place between 7am on Sunday 18 July and 8.30am on Monday 19 July.

"Entry was forced through a gate and a caravan was stolen."