Crime Stoppers Qld launch campaign in bid to stem rural crime

Police, farming and agricultural groups have banded together in a bid to help prevent the increase of farm-related crimes in rural Queensland. See how you can contribute here.

An initiative has been launched in a bid to remind Queenslanders of the importance in reporting farm-related crime.

Crime Stoppers Queensland has partnered with AgForce Queensland and state police to establish a Rural Crime Advisory Group.

The RCAG will work to help communicate how crime is impacting rural communities and help to connect support providers with victims of crime.

The long-term approach has set the stage for sustained engagement with rural farmers and an ongoing commitment to support the wider community.

Rural and Stock Crime Squad Detective Acting Inspector David Briese said reporting criminal activity was vital to both solving and preventing crimes affecting rural communities.

“Anecdotal evidence suggests that rural crime is under-reported (and) the issue with unreported crime is that we cannot fully appreciate or respond to it.,” Detective Acting Inspector Briese said.

“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.”

Detective Acting Inspector David Briese.

Farm crime may include livestock theft, theft of materials like tools, machinery or equipment, illegal hunting and fishing, theft of homes, illegal dumping, theft of fuel and more.

According to Crime Stoppers data, many farmers who experience rural crime were repeat victims.

In the Maranoa region, a 50-year-old businessman was sentenced in May to a two-year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to a range of machinery theft related and other crimes.

Crime Stoppers Queensland chief executive David Hansen reminded rural communities not to rely on other to report a crime.

“If you don’t report these crimes, who will? If you see something, say something, remaining silent means criminals can continue vandalising others,” Mr Hansen said.

Crime Stoppers Queensland CEO David Hansen in Townsville. Picture: Evan Morgan

By sharing information about incidents or suspicious behaviour, the community can help law

enforcement in addressing these issues more effectively.

“We need the rural community to work with us and to report what has happened as soon as

they become aware of it,” Detective Acting Inspector Briese said.

“Your information could be what helps identify the people involved in rural crime activity and prevent further offences from occurring.”

The campaign is funded by Crime Stoppers Queensland and will run for an initial period of five months.

In an emergency, call triple-0. If you’re reporting a crime call Policelink on 131 444.

For all anonymous reporting of crime and suspicious activity, contact Crime Stoppers Queensland on 1800 333 000 or make an online report here.

Originally published as Crime Stoppers Qld launch campaign in bid to stem rural crime