The podcast shares stories from farmers previously targeted in rural crime and discusses the larger role that local communities can play to help prevent farm crime from happening in their areas.
The first episode features an in-depth discussion with Dr Alistair Harkness, a rural criminologist and senior lecturer at the University of New England.
The second episode features a group forum with Wimmera farmers, Sam Eagle and Bruce Crafter, and VFF president David Jochinke.
Crime Stoppers Victoria chief executive Stella Smith said the podcast progressed the organisation’s spotlight on rural crime following its Locals Get Vocal campaign launch at this year's Wimmera Machinery Field Days, which targeted criminal activity on Victorian farms.
“Rural crime is an issue prevalent across regional Victoria and the targeting of farms by criminals is a matter of concern,” she said.
“The expertise provided by Dr Harkness, David Jochinke, Sam Eagle and Bruce Crafter will provide our listeners, be it farmers or the general public, with information to help protect their properties from criminals and be aware of red flags that may indicate criminal activity being conducted at a rural property.
“Crime Stoppers relies on the help of the community for all types of crime and in the case of rural crime, which happens in such remote settings.”
Mr Jochinke said the podcast highlighted the importance of farmers talking to each other to collect evidence.
“That information is really the backbone to seeing crimes being solved, let alone as a community understanding of what works or hasn't worked in reducing the risk of being a victim,” he said.
“The conversation really dug down into some issues around what people are doing to reduce their risk, what people are doing to convey what’s going on around their place and around their properties for others.”
The podcast can be listened to at: www.crimestoppersvic.com.au/crime-stoppers-victoria-podcast-series or on all podcast playing services.
Operation Stock Check
The NSW Police Force Rural Crime Prevention Team has launched Operation Stock Check, an ongoing, proactive operation to prevent livestock theft by disrupting the movement of stolen stock in western NSW.
Operation Stock Check is a high-visibility strategy, which will allow officers of all ranks to inspect vehicles carrying livestock to identify and target loads which may have been stolen.
NSW Police Force Commissioner Mick Fuller said the NSW Police Force takes livestock theft extremely seriously due to the devastating impact it can have on farmers.
“This operation is one of a number of steps the NSW Police Force is taking to ensure we do what we can to protect the livelihoods of our farmers, who have enough to deal with without having to worry about criminals stealing their stock,” Commissioner Fuller said.