Rural crime and tips to minimise the risk

Rural crime remains an issue that farmers unfortunately continue to face. From stolen livestock to the unauthorised use of firearms, the consequences of these crimes can be devastating. 

Farm owners and managers need to be proactive about helping to protect their property and assets. Here’s how a few simple measures like tagging livestock, securing your firearms and installing security systems can help prevent rural crime from affecting you.

Livestock theft is one of the most prevalent rural crimes in Australia. Every year, tens of thousands of animals are reported stolen around the country. One of the most effective deterrents against livestock theft is tagging livestock effectively.

When tagging, you simply attach a visible, durable marker to your animals – usually an ear tag – which carries a unique identification number. These days there are also electronic identification (EID) tags that use RFID for faster detection. Tagging livestock comes with multiple benefits:

• If stolen livestock is recovered, having them tagged means they can be quickly identified and returned to their rightful owner. It also makes it harder for thieves to sell stolen animals, as they can be easily traced.

• The presence of a tag alone can cause thieves to think twice. Not only will they know that tagged animals are more difficult to sell without raising suspicion, but it raises the risk they will be caught mid-transport or sale.

• ​​​​​​​In many states and territories, tagging is a requirement. For example, Agriculture Victoria states that cattle, sheep, goats and pigs must be tagged with an NLIS [National Livestock Identification System] accredited tag or device before being dispatched off a property.

Having firearms on a rural property is common, as they can be an essential protective and safety measure for your daily operations. But having unsecured firearms on-site can put your and your people in great danger – not only because of the potential of theft, but also for misuse by unauthorised individuals.

According to the ​​​​​​most recent report on firearm theft in Australia in 2018, there was a 15% increase in incidents and a 35% increase in stolen firearms since the decade prior, with the vast majority happening in regional parts of Australia. Indeed, while 23% of firearm theft incidents occurred in major cities, a whopping 61% happened in inner and outer regional areas.

Here are a few ways you can help prevent these crimes:

1. Secure storage: Firearms should always be stored in a locked, secure gun safe. Ensure they are compliant with the relevant laws. The safe should be kept in a discreet part of your home or property, away from windows and other easily accessible locations.
2. Do regular checks: Regularly inspect the storage area to make sure there are no signs of tampering. Check the locks and hinges, as well as the integrity of the safe itself. Keep a detailed list of all firearms and ammunition, marking down whenever anything is used or moved.
3. Document your firearms: Keep all firearm licences and registration paperwork up to date and stored separately from the firearms. If anything is stolen, these documents could help with the recovery effort.

Other valuables on your farm like heavy machinery, expensive tools and stores of petrol should also be secured in locked sheds or storage areas.

​​​Farm crime in Australia has been an issue for decades, with reports being difficult to locate, a report from 2005 states, around 17% of farms impacted annually. In terms of losses, for cattle theft alone it’s estimated that the financial losses average $50 million. While the most common crime is livestock theft, theft of machinery and equipment are still rampant. Farms in remote areas and those larger than 5,000 hectares are particularly vulnerable, with a 20% higher likelihood of being victimised.

Repeated crime is also a persistent problem, with 54% of victimised farms experiencing multiple incidents. In Tasmania and Queensland, the rate of repeat victimisation can reach as high as 61%.

In addition to tagging your livestock and securing all firearms, here are some practical ways to boost security on your property:

• Install security cameras: The latest security cameras using night vision and motion detection can continuously monitor key areas on the farm. Make sure the cameras are clearly visible to act as a deterrent. There are models that have livestream and can link directly to your smartphone, alerting you to any unwanted activity on your property. 

• Use perimeter fencing: Strong, well-maintained fencing around your property is the easiest way to stop unauthorised access. Make it a habit to inspect the fences often and repair them as you spot an issue.

• Set up a farm-watch program: Like a neighbourhood watch, a farm-watch program brings together farmers in a community to look out for each other and report any suspicious activity. Sharing information and resources can greatly reduce the risk of rural crime.

• Register equipment: Most states and territories will have their own program for registering farm equipment. All machinery and vehicles should be properly documented and have their serial numbers recorded as well.

• Report suspicious behaviours: Encourage your farm workers and neighbours to report any suspicious behaviours or activities to police straight away. Even something seemingly innocuous could turn out to be helpful for your or a nearby farm.