Community & Business
16 May, 2024
Farm crimes focus of new campaign
FARM-related crime is the focus of a new campaign by Crime Stoppers Queensland that hopes to bring awareness about the importance of reporting these types of offences.
As part of the campaign, Crime Stoppers Queensland, with support from AgForce Queensland and the Queensland Police Service, will work to establish a Rural Crime Advisory Group (RCAG).
The RCAG will help communicate how crime is impacting rural communities and help connect support providers with victims of crime.
The campaign will also employ a strategic mix of grassroots local community engagement activities, local media stories, and marketing activities.
Farm crime includes livestock theft, theft of materials like tools, machinery or equipment, illegal hunting and fishing, theft of homes, illegal dumping, theft of fuel and more.
Crime Stoppers Queensland emphasised the importance of reporting all forms of rural crime, saying that sharing information about incidents or suspicious behaviour, the community could help law enforcement in addressing these issues more effectively.
The group says it is this momentum and increase in understanding that will support the long-term challenges associated with underreporting farm related crimes.
Detective Inspector David Briese, from the Queensland Police Service Rural and Stock Crime Squad, said reporting criminal activity was vital to both solving and preventing crimes that affected rural communities.
“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.”
Crime Stoppers Queensland CEO David Hansen reminded those in rural communities not to rely on others to report crime.
“If you don’t report these crimes, who will? If you see something, say something. Remaining silent means criminals can continue vandalising others,” he said.
The campaign is funded by Crime Stoppers Queensland and will run for an initial period of five months.
ν If you’re reporting a crime call 131 444. For all anonymous reporting of crime and suspicious activity, contact Crime Stoppers Queensland on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersqld.com.au/make-a-report.
