Police are encouraging landholders in the state's New England Region to conduct regular property security checks and to ensure compliance with safe storage of firearms.
The messaging comes as Crime Stoppers and the NSW Police Force – Rural Crime Prevention Team rollout a state-wide crime campaign aimed to address awareness of regional crimes, promote prevention measures and encourage increased reporting of crimes.
Detective Senior Constable Mark Rogers of New England Police District said that while it's not possible to make a rural property completely secure, it is important to detect potential areas of vulnerability and improve on-farm security to reduce the risk of rural crime.
"It's quite often the case that it's opportunistic that these incidents occur, and if it's not left around and stored correctly that it reduces the temptation and likelihood of it being stolen in the first place," Det Snr Cst Rogers said.
"I also want to emphasise the importance of prompt reporting which can be done through your local police, the Police Assistance Line or Crime Stoppers as soon as possible to allow police to appropriately respond to the incident."
In particular, police encourage firearm owners to regularly check their firearms and ensure compliance with the Firearm Legislation:
- Ensure firearms are kept in safe storage facilities when not in use
- Lock ammunition in a container kept separate to the firearms
- Ensure safe keeping facilities are locked at all times
- Ensure no unauthorised person knows where the keys to the safe storage facilities are kept, or the safe combination details
- Check your firearms regularly
Securing properties and equipment is also encouraged to reduce the risk of falling victim to theft:
- Prominently display the property's RMB Number
- Conduct regular checks of the property's boundary fences and gates
- Display 'No Trespassing' warning signs on perimeter fence lines and gates
- Install security lighting around the homestead and sheds
- Consider installing an intruder alarm system or surveillance camera
- Where possible, keep valuable items and machinery engraved and secure
- Check machinery and tools regularly
- Remove keys from vehicles and machinery
Primary producers can access the NSW Police Force Farm Security Assessment via the following link: https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/9844/Farm_Security_Assessment.pdf
Victims of rural crime are urged to promptly report the incident to their local Rural Crime Investigator, local police station or Crime Stoppers to ensure a whole-of-community approach to reduce and solve crime in regional areas.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
