Since the launch of our Rural Crime Awareness Campaign, NSW Police Force have seen a 12% increase* in the number of rural crime related incidents reported. Information from rural communities and the prompt reporting of offences are key to helping solve crimes for our farmers and in some instances enable police to return stolen property.
In a recent survey** by the Centre for Rural Criminology at the University of New England shows the five most common crimes experienced by farmers in NSW are trespass (75%), Illegal shooting / hunting (52%), theft of equipment and tools (41%), theft of livestock (40%) and theft of fuel (36%).
Many of our farmers have experienced crime more than seven times.
Crimes are usually committed by the same offenders and if not caught, they will keep offending. Reporting crime doesn’t only help one farmer, it can help an entire community if the offender is caught.
Rural crimes continue to have a devastating effect on farming families, rural communities and the wider NSW community and economy.
CEO of Crime Stoppers NSW, Mr Peter Price said every farmer matters, every community matters, and every piece of information matters. If a crime has been committed against one person, its likely this is not just one offence. Reporting your crime, might help your neighbour.
“We are seeking assistance from rural communities to report anything suspicious, anything they know and any crime, no matter how small they think it might be,” said Mr Price.
“In smaller communities, something or someone out of place is easier to spot. Help your farmer, help your community by reporting even the smallest detail.
In the past six months a number of rural crimes have been solved thanks to a farmer reporting a crime or information received from the community.
(31 Aug) Police were notified of stock theft on 23 July 2024, in the southern tablelands and the following day police found the offender and seized the stolen sheep which were returned to the owners.
(27 June) In another case, a man was charged with ten firearm and drug offences including possession of a stolen firearm and prohibited drugs. He has been refused bail and is due to appear in court later this year.
(19 June) In another case a man was charged with 13 offences including hunting on a private property without a licence and stolen firearms.
NSW Police Force, Rural Crime Prevention Team, State Rural Crime Coordinator, Detective Acting Inspector Andrew Maclean said the community and police need to continue to work together and increase the reporting of rural crime.
“Working with regional communities to target rural crime is a priority for the Rural Crime Prevention Team,” said Detective Acting Inspector Maclean.
We would like to encourage farmers to accurately record livestock identification, remove keys from machinery, keep photos of valuable stock and install quality locking devices on farm gates, sheds and equipment.
“If you see or hear of anything you believed to be suspicious, such as a vehicle in an area that’s not meant to be there, or stock being moved late at night; we urge you to call Crime Stoppers or your local police.”
We need to be informed; we can’t do that without the public reporting crime.
When reporting a crime, police advise to leave the area as it is to be able to conduct a thorough analysis so that they are able to collect evidence to help with the investigation.
There are many different ways the community can report crime in their area including PAL, their local police station, Crime Stoppers and Triple Zero for emergencies. The campaign centres on the tagline – Be a pal and report any theft, any time, to PAL on 131 444 – and – report suspicious or actual criminal information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Fact sheets with prevention measures for farmers can be found on the NSW Crime Stoppers website at https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/be-safe/.
