Police are warning rural property owners to ensure their firearms and ammunition are stored securely and according to legislative requirements, following the theft of 15 firearms recently from rural areas in the Barossa and Yorke Pennisula, according to SA Police.
Since the beginning of May, a number of rural properties have been targeted for firearms stored in sheds, houses, businesses and shipping containers.
Police confirm criminals targeting rural properties for firearms is an ongoing concern. Of 670 firearms stolen in South Australia over the past three financial years, 384 (57 percent) were stolen from owners living in rural areas.
Police describe the recent thefts as planned, with offenders wearing gloves, pulling alarms off the wall and using axes, jemmy bars and bolt cutters to break in. Properties are left extensively damaged and ransacked, with many other items also stolen, including vehicles that are then used to commit other offences.
The Firearms Amnesty launched in December 2015 has recently been extended until 31 December, 2016, with police hopeful more rural owners will take the opportunity to relinquish unwanted firearms.
Unregistered or unlicensed firearms, accessories and ammunition can be handed in during the amnesty without facing prosecution.
Police also remind rural property owners to ensure their premises are locked and secure, including shipping containers, sheds and other outbuildings.
Vehicles, including utes and trailers, should always be locked securely with windows closed when left unattended and preferably parked out of sight or in a garage.
Any suspicious activity around your property should always be reported to police on 131 444. You can help by providing this information:
The RPA (Rural Property Address) number and property name, road and suburb or identifying landmarks where the activity was noticed, with time and dates.
Details of the person who was acting suspiciously: characteristics such as their age, sex, weight, height, hair colour or clothing.
Details of a suspicious vehicle, such as registration number, make, model, colour and any distinguishing features (dents, stickers).
Remember your safety is paramount and you should not put yourself at risk to record information.
How to hand in firearms under the current amnesty:
Take firearms, accessories and ammunition to a participating, registered firearms dealer listed on the South Australia Police web site. Search for a registered dealer here:
Ensure all firearms are:
- Unloaded
- remove the bolt or render the firearm safe
- place it in a gun bag or wrap it in a blanket
- ammunition should be in a separate bag, box or container.
More information? Please contact SAPOL:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1800 586 945 – Amnesty Information Line staffed Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm.
