Rural crime: Farm theft in Victoria at 10-year high
THE value of property stolen from Victorian farms has hit a 10-year high.
THE value of property stolen from Victorian farms has hit a 10-year high.
Farmers have reported that thieves have taken $5.74 million worth of animals, tools, machinery and other goods in the past financial year.
The staggering figures are the latest data released by the Crime Statistics Agency.
They show the value of property stolen from rural properties has been on the rise since 2012.
While these official figures show a disturbing trend, the true cost of stolen property could be more than $10 million, as studies have shown that up to half of all farm crime goes unreported to authorities and therefore is not comprehensively collected in official statistics.
In the previous financial year, farmers reported $5.32 million worth of property stolen. A decade ago, total value of farmers’ property taken by thieves was $2.51 million.
Victorian Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said farmers and rural communities knew farm crime was widespread but the new data “clearly demonstrates the increasing economic burden of theft”.
“It is absolutely critical sufficient and effective police resources are committed to addressing this increasing threat to Victoria’s $13 billion agricultural industry,” Mr Jochinke said.
The biggest category of stolen property in the past financial year was livestock, with $2.07 million worth reported, including $1.36 million of sheep, both values representing a 10-year high.
Last week The Weekly Times revealed the most comprehensive study ever conducted of Victorian farmers showed more than two-thirds were victims of theft, and they had little faith in the ability of local police to investigate.
Police Minister Lisa Neville this week said she wanted to “reassure victims that Victoria Police have the tools and resources they need to keep rural and regional communities safe”.
She said Victoria Police was undertaking a review of its approach to farm crime to ensure it had the best model to identify and disrupt those crimes.
The review was considering the need to sharpen or adjust the focus of police agricultural liaison officers, and if more support, training or crime prevention strategies were required.
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