“Draw the line on regional crime” is the central message of the new Regional Crime Campaign launched last week.
In NSW, more than 80 per cent of farmers have reported being a victim of crime according to new research by the Centre for Rural Criminology, University of New England, NSW Police said in a statement.
Even more critical is the high levels of repeat victimisation, with more than 76 per cent of farmers being a victim of crime on more than two occasions, and more than 23 per cent experiencing crime more than seven times.
Crime Stoppers and the NSW Police Force launched a state-wide crime campaign to address awareness of regional crimes, prevention measures and to increase reporting to Crime Stoppers and the police.
Regional crime can affect individual’s finances and safety directly but can also have a more widespread impact on the prosperity of the town and its people.
In regional areas, the perception of a community, its safety, its people, and its economic situation can affect tourism, impact on its attraction of high-quality health professionals or teachers and other essential service providers.
But it doesn’t stop there. Crimes in regional areas have a flow-on effect, impacting pricing, distribution, and availability of produce everywhere.
The campaign will provide information on how regional communities can deter or prevent crime in their area while encouraging everyone to report crime.
The message to the NSW community is: Any information on any crime anytime.
The Crime Stoppers contact centre operates 24/7, 365 days a year and all information captured is in complete confidence.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott, is urging regional residents to report any piece of information no matter how small to Crime Stoppers and the NSW Police.
“It’s disheartening to hear more than 80 per cent of our farmers have reported being victims of criminal activity.
“We’re calling on the NSW community to report any information on any crime anytime.
“If you know something, say something.
“We’ve seen first hand the resilience of our farmers, but I draw the line on regional crime.”
NSW Crime Stoppers CEO, Peter Price AM, said: “We don’t want to know who you are; we just want to know what you know.”
“We are launching a campaign to draw the line on regional crime.
“Crime Stoppers is calling for a whole of community approach to draw the line on crime and adopt better prevention strategies and be on the lookout for any suspicious behaviour. The result will be a better, more prosperous future and healthier communities that thrive,” Mr Price said.
Crime Stoppers is working with the NSW Police Force Rural Crime Prevention Team and the Police Transport and Public Safety Command across a range of major crime areas including stock theft, marine theft and poaching.
Stock theft, as one example, has a significant financial impact on our farmers.
Between 2015 and 2020, there has been a conservative estimated value of $22.5m worth of sheep and cattle reported stolen within NSW. If we consider the value of stud stock, loss of animal by-products and loss of future breeding potential, the financial impact on primary producers within NSW could realistically be over $60m.
NSW Police Force’s Corporate Sponsor for Rural Crime, Acting Assistant Commissioner Brett Greentree, says it is important to work together to protect farmers.
“We urge you to call Crime Stoppers or your local police with any information.”
The newly-launched community awareness campaign will run state-wide for 12-months. Crime Stoppers will be visiting regional communities to engage with communities in an effort to help reduce crime and increase reporting.
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