About a third of the state's farmers have been victims of rural crime seven or more times, according to new research which shows the scourge of stock theft costs the sector about $60 million a year.
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UNE Centre for Rural Criminology's NSW Farm Crime Survey is the most comprehensive picture of rural crime victimisation ever compiled.
Rural Criminology co-director Dr Kyle Mulrooney said the report would put the problem on the "national radar" and provide recommendations for future government action.
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"Our researchers are investigating physical solutions, like tracking tags, and larger policy questions, like rural policing in Australia and globally," he said.
The report shows that 81 per cent of landowners have been a victim of crime at least once. Nine in ten of that group had been victims twice. About 30 per cent of the state's farmers had reported seven or more crimes against them.
Tamworth NSW Farmers chairman Kevin Tongue isn't one of them.
The Loomberah irrigator said his area was relatively low-risk because it is densely populated by landowners who look out for each other, and routinely report suspicious vehicles.
But rural crime remains a "major concern" he said
"With the amount of equipment that we've got in our sheds and the fuel that is stored on farm, it's an easy target," he said.
"So we have all got to be very vigilant about it."
Mr Tongue said it was larger estates in remote parts of the west of the state, or in the New England's highlands country, who copped it the worst because distances are too great for the same kind of informal neighbourhood watch.
Detective Sergeant Graeme Campbell of the Rural Crime Prevention Team said the unit was committed to working more closely with landowners to prevent, disrupt and deter rural crime from occurring.
He said the community can help the fight by immediately reporting victimisation.
"One piece of advice I give to people living in rural areas is to take a walk around the farm and think, if you were an offender, what would you take and how would you get it. And from that, start implementing strategies to protect your property and livelihood," he said.
The survey found that:
- Farmers believe that crime in NSW has risen substantially in the past two years
- Farmers tend to classify crime in their local area as serious
- Farmers see the Rural Crime Prevention Team as a positive development and nearly half indicated they are more likely to report crime since its creation
- 70 per cent of farmers consider crime in their local area to be a serious problem.
- Poll respondents were most worried about trespassing, break and entry, the theft of livestock and illegal shooting or hunting
- 87 per cent of farmers believed that sentences handed down by the courts to those who steal from farms were too lenient. More than half wanted jail for a 21-year-old convicted of farm theft for a second time
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Andrew Messenger
Politics, environment and energy journalist at the Northern Daily Leader. I also write about health, bushfires and occasionally music. I'm a Brisbane boy by way of Charleville and Hobart who now lives in in beautiful New England. Get me at andrew.messenger@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Politics, environment and energy journalist at the Northern Daily Leader. I also write about health, bushfires and occasionally music. I'm a Brisbane boy by way of Charleville and Hobart who now lives in in beautiful New England. Get me at andrew.messenger@austcommunitymedia.com.au
