Farm safety: Invasions lift demand for security devices

With rural crime a big concern, maximising security is part of running a safe farm and workplace.

Safety fears: Marcus and Shannan Jessen, with young son Daniel, faced angry activists on their property Cranley Park a goatdairy farm, at Allora, south of Toowoomba, in Queensland. The couple were forced to sleep in their machinery shed out of fearanimal activists would keep invading. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

SECURITY is big part of safety on rural properties.

As trespassing activists and livestock, crop and machinery thefts continue to gain media attention, demand for security systems is rising from often-isolated rural landholders.

Shepparton security company manager Craig McKenzie said sales of his systems were on the up.

“There is definitely an increased concern. Stock theft is a big thing,” said Craig, whose Extend Security business sells DIY solutions for customers to install and manage themselves.

“The police are saying you should be using your cameras. What it does is give them something to go with.”

Emergency response times in rural areas were often slow, putting the responsibility to deal with trespassers on landowners, Craig said.

“The police do a good job with what they have. But there are not enough of them,” he said.

Victoria Police acting Supt Paul Phelan said crimes committed on rural properties were treated no differently to any other crimes, but isolated locations caused long response times in some cases.

He said reporting crime as soon as it happened was important to help police protect rural residents.

“Particularly in relation to livestock theft, where the frequency of headcounts by farmers, by nature of their work and the time of year they shear and crutch, can sometimes be several months before it is detected,” he said.

He said rural crime and livestock theft was a strong focus for the force.

Last year, a report by Federation University revealed more than 60 per cent of Victoria’s farmers may have been victims of crime. Since then, Victoria Police has launched a review of the Agricultural Liaison Officer scheme, known as AGLO.

Acting Supt Phelan said there were about 70 liaison officers across Victoria and the review of the scheme was ongoing.

“We are looking at training needs to build on existing practice,” he said. “If there are any changes, we will let the community know.”

Acting Supt Phelan said rural residents should lock or secure their property, machinery and valuables to minimise risks of theft and opportunistic crime.

“Ensure livestock is all tagged; lock external gates; shed the machinery,” he said. “Put in CCTV cameras and trail cameras.

“Comply with firearm storage legislation … remove valuable items from being visible in sheds, vehicles, and lock them away.”

Regarding trespassers, including activists and protesters, he said the first thing to do was call triple-0.

“That will activate the nearest and available unit,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if it is trespass or theft or burglary, we would send an investigator and someone from crimes scene services.”

Stay on the line and provide precise location information, the number of people trespassing, the type of property and if livestock are involved.

“We just want to know what type of situation we are entering,” Supt Phelan said.

Victims should remain calm and not engage with trespassers or protesters except to advise them the police had been contacted, acting Supt Phelan said.

He said video footage of any unlawful activity could help police investigate and understand the approaches used by activists.

Acting Supt Phelan said farmers should have an emergency response plan.

“They might put the property in lock-down mode … it might be locking other gates,” he said. “Make sure their family and employees know the role they play if that plan should be activated.”