How to Hide Valuables at Festivals, in Caravans and on Campsites

After 31 years trading at festivals — including 21 consecutive years at Glastonbury's dance field — I've seen everything that can be nicked, get nicked. Tents sliced open. Sleeping bags rifled through. Wallets found two fields away.

The people who lost nothing had one thing in common. Their valuables weren't where a thief would look first.

Here's what actually works — whether you're at a festival, touring in a caravan, or spending a week in a motorhome.

At festivals

Tent security is mostly a myth. Most festival tents can be unzipped in three seconds. A padlock just tells people there's something worth nicking inside.

The bum bag advice is right for when you're out in the crowd. But what about when you're asleep? Or when you leave the tent for a shower block that's a five-minute walk away?

The answer is to make your tent look like there's nothing worth taking. Hide things in places nobody searches — a can of something fizzy in a carrier bag by your cool box, a snack tin under a jumper, a lighter sitting on top of your gear with everything else. Nobody picks those up. Nobody opens them.

Best picks for festival camping

In caravans & motorhomes

Caravans get broken into. It happens on quiet campsites as much as busy ones. The opportunist thief is looking for cash, cards and keys — and they'll check the obvious places first. Drawers, jacket pockets, under the mattress.

What they won't check is the cleaning cupboard. Or the toilet brush holder. Or the fire extinguisher.

A diversion safe is a real-looking everyday object with a hidden compartment inside. The toilet brush safe is one of our best sellers for caravan owners — nobody picks up a toilet brush in someone else's van. Nobody. The household cleaner and gunk degreaser work the same way tucked under the sink. For bigger items — passports, cash, a spare bank card — the fire extinguisher version gives you serious capacity.

Best picks for caravans & motorhomes

Camping & glamping

Campsites are generally safer than festivals, but theft still happens — and it's almost always opportunistic. Someone walks past, spots your car keys on the folding table through the mesh tent window, and helps themselves in ten seconds flat.

At a campsite you've got more room to work with. A dog food can in the food storage box. An air freshener on the shelf by the awning. A nut and bolt sitting in the toolkit bag. None of these raise an eyebrow — which is exactly why they work.

Best picks for camping & glamping

See everything we stock

We've got 21 diversion safes and stash cans in total — drinks cans, food tins, cleaning products, household items, garden gear. Prices from £3 up to £74.99. All available online with fast UK shipping, or in the shop on Lowthian Street, Preston.