REPORTS of illegal hunting on rural properties are rising across the state but police say the Liverpool Plains and Gunnedah areas are of particular concern.
Illegal pigging, shooting and trespassing offences are the main issues reported to rural crime investigators in recent weeks.
Oxley police crime manager, Inspector Phil O’Reilly, said police had launched an appeal to rural landholders for information on suspicious activity on local properties.
“We’re appealing for anyone with information about people who are trespassing or hunting to contact their local police station or crime stoppers,” he said.
“If someone is observed on a property without permission we ask that observations are taken with good descriptions of vehicles and persons to be reported to police.
“Don’t approach any person on the property if there are risks involved, and take note of directions the vehicle is travelling in when leaving the property.”
Inspector O’Reilly said stock theft, property damage and fuel theft were the main offences on rural land in the area.
“Police in the Oxley Command will be continuing our operations in rural areas to target these types of crimes,” he said.
“Property owners need to be mindful of their security, in particular where farm equipment is stored to prevent the risk of theft.”
New England rural crime investigator Senior Constable Jim Miller said police are receiving reports of trespassing in the Inverell area on monthly basis.
“We do have a little bit of it occurring,” Senior Constable Miller said.
“We are finding there’s a bit of a delay in reporting these incidents and we encourage members of the public to report them immediately.
“Obviously police will respond to these incidents as soon as reported.”