Tuesday 25 September 2018

Rural Crime Workshop for Muswellbrook Farmers

BY LAURA D'AMICO

At a time when property holders are already struggling through drought, NSW Police say they've received increasing reports of stolen equipment and fodder, as well as illegal hunting.

Muswellbrook farmers and agribusinesses are being encouraged to attend a workshop on rural crime prevention by the NSW Farmers Association.

The workshop, at Muswellbrook District Workers Club from 6pm til 8pm tonight, comes in the wake of reported cases of hay bale theft in the region last month.

It will cover tips on dealing with trespassers and illegal hunting, drone usage over properties, the use of firearms and safe storage, fuel and property theft.

Another focus of the workshop is reporting crime and what police can do to assist landholders.

Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie says the workshops are a great initiative for local police and farmers to discuss new crime prevention strategies and what both can do to help combat rural and regional crime.

"Farmers attending will hear from experienced rural crime investigators and detectives about ways they can target-harden their premises and how to reduce the levels of rural crime occurring," he says.

"People can talk to these police officers about what is concerning them at present," Assistant Commissioner McKechnie says, "and in terms of their local area and get local knowledge there and then."

The rural workshop is free and available to all farmers and agribusiness. To register and RSVP, please visit NSW Farmers.

Image sourced from muswellbrookchronicle.com.au