SWAN Hill farmers are being urged to remain vigilant after the recent alleged theft of livestock in the municipality.
Police said 120 crossbred lambs were allegedly stolen from a Tresco property, south of Kerang, between August 8 and 11.
At the time of the theft, the lambs had various tags and wool lengths, and weighed 50 to 60kgs.
Data from the Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) showed a nine per cent increase in livestock stolen in the past 12 months.
The worst of livestock theft happened in the Buloke local government area, with nine offences recorded (up from seven the previous year, and the most since 12 offences in 2007), five in Gannawarra and two in Swan Hill.
There were 282 livestock stolen, worth more than $1.9 million, across the state in the 12 months to March this year – up from 248 the year before.
Cattle theft reached a 15-year high with 90 stolen in the year to March 2021.
Just four arrests were made and 231 cases remain unsolved.
Sergeant Andrew Neil, the farm crime liaison officer for the Swan Hill police service area, said while the loss of a hay bale or a tank of diesel might seem insignificant, police wanted to hear about it.
“We want the stats to go up,” he said.
“We want farmers to report things, even whispers and innuendo.”
Sgt Neil said police had specialised detectives in the field and wanted to develop strong relationships across the rural sector.
“Stock and station agents, farming equipment salespeople, fuel partners – we all need to be on the same page,” he said.
“We want to break down the sense that crime doesn’t matter because of where it is.
“We can’t be complacent because we live in rural areas.
“There are people out there playing on our good faith.”
Sgt Neil said the challenge of policing rural crime areas was that most farmers did not have CCTV.
“It’s remote areas, so they’re out of mind and out of sight,” he said. “So we rely on our farming community to do the best with securing things.
“Having said that, totally understanding how farming works, it’s a challenge to secure things.
Tips for keeping your property safe
Livestock and stockyards
– Ensure all stock are identified at an early age (NLIS, eartags, microchips)
– Consider photography and videoing your livestock regularly to assist with identification
– Keep receipts/ records of any purchase as proof of ownership
– Keep track of any agisted stock and their markings
Firearms and equipment
– Ensure all firearms are securely stored in approved receptacles with ammunition, bolts and magazines kept separately
– Ensure you are returning your firearms to a safe storage unit after you’re finished with your firearm. Do not leave it unattended
– Engrave or mark your equipment
– Never leave keys to vehicles or machinery in ignition or close by
