RISING stock prices and a return to better seasonal conditions have thrust rural crime into the spotlight, prompting police to call for the public's help.
Recently, the NSW Rural Crime Prevention Team along with Crime Stoppers launched a roadshow to highlight the work they do and visited the Sydney Royal Easter Show to engage with producers from across the state.
Atop the agenda for police was the importance of reporting crimes as quickly as possible, as well as being diligent to help deter offenders.
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It's these statistics that Rural Crime Prevention Team Acting Assistant Commissioner Brett Greentree said inspired the roadshow, which has made several stops across the state.
"Our research shows that 80 per cent of primary producers have been the victims of crimes once, while 76pc have been a victim twice and a further 23pc have been subject to repeated victimisation," Acting Assistant Commissioner Greentree said.
"This is why it is so important to get out there and chat with producers because reporting crime is the first step in changing these kinds of statistics.
"Even the smallest detail can make a major difference in helping to solve a crime, allowing us to assign more resources to an area to help prevent crime and to inspire others to be vigilant as well.
"All of these kinds of reasons are why we are hitting the road and really promoting the services of Crime Stoppers because while some people may not want to go to their local police station to report something, it is important to know this anonymous service is always there."
The Rural Crime Prevention Team has officers across all parts of the state, but Acting Assistant Commissioner Greentree said the help of the public was vital to helping officers solve crimes.
"I think the important thing to remember is these sorts of crimes have a flow-on affect to all parts of rural communities," he said.
"They impact peoples lives, businesses and livelihoods, so it's crucial to have people thinking about crime prevention.
"A long-time saying we have is 'we don't know what we don't know', so that's why reporting crime is crucial.
"Crime Stoppers is a vital service for everyone and we will be doing everything we can during these roadshows to highlight that to people."
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Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
