Crack Down on Livestock and Farm Crime
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Peter Ryan has announced a new Victorian Government initiative to crack down on livestock theft and farm crime.
Mr Ryan said a new Livestock and Farm Crime Specialists Group would be established within Victoria Police to investigate a recent spike in livestock theft, particularly sheep, to undertake targeted operations, prosecute offenders and roll out crime prevention initiatives.
"Livestock theft and farm crime is an increasing problem in regional and rural Victoria, however there is currently no central coordinating office within Victoria Police to tackle livestock theft and farm crime offences," he said.
Mr Ryan said there had been a 129 per cent increase in the number of sheep stolen from 2009-10 to 2010-11, likely due to recent record prices for sheep, lamb and wool.
"During the past financial year in the western region alone, there have been 67 thefts involving heavy machinery, including 28 tractors and 13 bobcats," he said.
This initiative will include:
- a statewide network of police investigators undertaking extensive training to form the Livestock and Farm Crime Specialists Group and act as a point of contact for farmers.
- a committee, chaired by Victoria Police, and including representatives from the Victorian Farmers Federation, Department of Primary Industries, the Municipal Association of Victoria, the Stock Agents Association of Victoria and other agencies, will meet regularly to discuss emerging trends and issues relating to livestock theft and farm related crime.
- an online intranet 'investigation hub' will be launched and sit within the Victoria Police website.
- the Victoria Police Crime Department conducting a six monthly Livestock and Agricultural Conference to observe crime trends in specific regions.