RAISING the issue of the importance of reporting farm related crime in rural areas is something everyone can be a part of.
Crime Stoppers Queensland launched a campaign this month it hopes will increase anonymous reporting numbers.
It has established a Rural Advisory Group to communicate how crime is impacting rural communities and to help connect support providers with victims of crime.
The initiative is the beginning of a long term approach that will set the scene where farmers and the wider community work together.
By sharing information about incidents or suspicious behaviour, the community can help law enforcement to address these issues more effectively.
It’s this momentum and increase in understanding that will support the long-term challenges associated with underreporting farm related crimes.
Detective Inspector David Briese is with Queensland Police Rural and Stock Crime Squad.
“Anecdotal evidence suggests that rural crime is underreported,” he said.
“The issue with unreported crime is that we cannot fully appreciate or respond to it. “It’s also an issue when the crime is reported late as we cannot then utilise our resources in a timely way, providing the criminals responsible with opportunity to cover their tracks and avoid detection.
“We need the rural community to work with us and to report what has happened as soon as they become aware of it.
“Your information could be what helps identify the people involved in rural crime activity and prevent further offences from occurring.”
Farm crime may include livestock theft, theft of materials like tools, machinery or equipment, illegal hunting and fishing, theft of homes, illegal dumping and theft of fuel.
The campaign will run for an initial period of five months.
