A RENEWED push from bush cops to root out rural crooks has seen a string of arrests for trespass, stock theft, and illegal hunting since the new year.
But the mayor of a western NSW community blighted with crime says farmers will take matters into their own hands if the penalties for offenders are made to be “greater than the cost of a milkshake”.
Police are reaching deep into the country to push back against trespassers and thieves with more patrols in the west of the state, as well as a rural crime review that is prompting local communities for feedback on countering crims.
But Bogan Shire mayor Ray Donald OAM said communities such as Nyngan would only see a lasting effect if criminals were made to fear the repercussions.
“Fines and other penalties are the most important thing here – putting them up will do far more than having a patrol on every country road,” he said.
Operation High Ground in the Darling River Local Area Command has seen 21 people charged with 32 offences in two months.
The targeted activities - trespass, illegal hunting and stock theft – account for the majority of the charges laid, while NSW has teamed up with Queensland and Victoria stock squads for a number of joint operations.
Darling River police have also conducted more than 80 rural patrols in some of the state’s most isolated areas to try and halt soaring goat and other livestock thefts.
The Nyngan region has accounted for some of the highest activity, including a February incident that saw an alleged standoff between farmers and illegal shooters where two dogs were killed.
Cr Donald said police would see more confrontations in back paddocks if penalties did not make criminals consider their actions.
“These things don’t hit the headlines like shootings and stabbings and things like that… but people are going to get so frustrated with trespassers that they will start taking it out on each other.”
Former NSW Police Assistant Commissioner and Dubbo cop Stephen Bradshaw are hitting the west of the state this week with Barwon MP Kevin Humphries as part of a crime review that will report to parliament.
Mr Bradshaw said the problem was far deeper than people were willing to admit.
“At a basic level, (crime) affects something that is huge part of our economy,” he said.
“Farmers losing stock, seeing gates and fences damaged… they can’t just keep taking that and keep going.”
He said a key focus of the community sessions was to understand why people did not report some crimes, and what they think would help.
“The rate of non-reporting has been quoted at 60 per cent by some people – so really that’s one in two (criminals) who are getting away with it even before police start.” Mr Bradshaw said.
The review will visit Ivanhoe, Broken Hill, Wilcannia, Cobar, Bourke, Nyngan, Walgett and Coonamble over the next two weeks.
