Don’t panic!

[Rumour]

We have only stopped on a service area once and that was enough. Apart from truck movements, even in the Camping-Car area, I woke at just after 1am to the sound of someone trying the doors. I shouted and got out of bed, but they had gone into the night (apart from the massive lights they ran under). We did report it and the Gendarme (station on the service area) said it is not wise to sleep on these places, there is a high crime rate at most. So now we don't!

 

[Geek]

In my opinion, if anyone considers the threat great enough to need these measures why park there?

Indeed, though very occasionally there is little choice.
People like to fantasise about security, deterrents and weapons.
In reality, they are just silly fantasies.
The crooks are younger, fittedr and less inhibited than we are. They would win any fight.
They don't care about damaging stuff. Glass, plastic and thin aluminium won't keep them out. Reinforcements will just make the damage more expensive to repair.

 

[runnach]

They don't care about damaging stuff. Glass, plastic and thin aluminium won't keep them out. Reinforcements will just make the damage more expensive to repair.

Damage to in our case, access door, cost is negligible, bent metal and the likes can be repaired/replaced. My main point of thread (which I regret sharing to benefit other forum members) was not to gear up with xyz weapons, it was to put out there to beef up door security, which can give a member time to get their head into gear at @ 02.00 hrs-ish
Not to debate where to park up, attempted break-ins, can happen anywhere, not just French MW Aires .

 

[Geek]

What limited your damage was the scream, not the lock. A large dog bowl outside near the door, or surfboards on the roof might be good deterrents.

 

[runnach]

Hi Terry,

Was it this aire (with a Flot Bleu borne)? https://maps.app.goo.gl/RVwDDbR9A4E9YCUs9

My apologies Tom, I missed your post, yes, this is the MW aire.

 

[runnach]

What limited your damage was the scream, not the lock. A large dog bowl outside near the door, or surfboards on the roof might be good deterrents.

All supposition.

 

[Geek]

All supposition.

It is only supposition that the whole episode wasn't a prank to surprise you.

 

[runnach]

It is only supposition that the whole episode wasn't a prank to surprise you.

 

[TJBi]

My apologies Tom, I missed your post, yes, this is the MW aire.

Thanks Terry,

Currently not in the CCI database and it looks as though the only reason for inclusion would be to warn people off! There is a link here to the (former) eco café on the site, with various negative reviews (if reviews are sorted most recent first).

 

[runnach]

Thanks Terry,

Currently not in the CCI database and it looks as though the only reason for inclusion would be to warn people off! There is a link here to the (former) eco café on the site, with various negative reviews (if reviews are sorted most recent first).

Hi Tom, can you pvt message me a link to CCI database please for future reference?

As mentioned within my OP, a long trip from Ambisola, Italy, to that particular service stop, with Grasse only a few clicks further on.

Trying for Archigny tomorrow, heat dependant, or the following day, currently at Comps south of Avignon, still a ways to our nice cool basement.