By Dennis Amor

THOUSANDS of caravanners attending the Tamworth Country Music Festival have been urged to beware of thieves.

As an estimated 50,000 revellers swamped the NSW town, local police warned people to take extra care of their caravans, campervans and tents.

"The risk of stealing from campsites is heightened during the festival," Crime Prevention Officer Senior Constable Troy Rowland said. "Nothing could ruin your stay at the festival more than returning to your campsite to find your valuables or camping equipment missing."

The banks of the Peel River become a sea of RVs and tents as country music fans settled in for 10 days of festival activities. So many caravanners arrived early for the event that the local council opened its camping area 24 hours early.

The festival, which culminates with Golden Guitar Awards on Australia Day, January 26, features the likes of Kasey Chambers, Lee Kernaghan, Troy Cassar-Daley and Gina Jeffreys.

But it also attracts the unsavoury element of society ... thieves who make rich pickings as people leave their caravans, tents and campervans unattended.

Now police are advising music fans to take a few simple precautions to reduce the risk of thefts from campsites:

• Get to know other campers around you.
• Don't leave valuables out in the open where offenders can see them.
• If possible, take valuables with you when you leave your campsite, or secure them out of sight (such as in your vehicle or camper).
• Use a small lock to secure your tent when you leave it (it won't stop someone cutting the tent but it will make them more obvious if they do).
• Always lock your caravan or camper when you leave it.
• If you have one, use a portable alarm in your tent or camper.

"Thieves usually look for items that are easy to carry away and easy to dispose of," Senior Constable Rowland said.

"These include things such as CDs, CD players, laptop computers, iPods, UHF radios and GPS units, so make sure they are out of sight, or take them with you."

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