Stop Thief Stop!

Locked Gates Not Enough to Stop Livestock Theft

Australian farmers are realizing good prices on livestock – but at the same time, they’re suffering from an uptick in livestock theft. Police say that most thieves come from urban centres and that farms close to freeways are at the greatest risk of livestock theft. More than $2 million worth of livestock have been stolen since January, and poaching, diesel theft, and illegal hunting are also on the rise.

A farmer from whom 170 lambs were stolen was disgusted by the lenient sentence that courts handed down to the culprits. They were each fined $1,000 and given a year’s home detention despite laws allowing for much harsher sentences. Many farmers aren’t even bothering to report crimes. Researchers say that less than half of rural thefts are ever reported.

However, amidst growing concern, police have promised to take action on rural crime, but farmers say that although there is provision for jail-time sentences for stock theft, few judges are willing to prescribe tough sentences.

With easy money available to livestock thieves, the lenient penalties just aren’t enough to act as a deterrent – and farmers ultimately pay the price.

Farmers vulnerable to organized crime, opportunists, and vandals

Apart from livestock theft, firearms are also being stolen at an increasing rate. Police say that guns are being stolen by organized crime rings which resell the firearms, often on the same day that they are stolen.

Some of the damage farmers are taking is completely pointless. Costly mischief that can’t benefit the perpetrators is becoming more common.  On the flipside, there are highly organized cattle thieves who are able to forge electronic ear tags, allowing them to openly sell stolen cattle.

Police are reporting success in investigating stock theft, but say that farmers are vulnerable owing to a lack of security. They recommend that farmers should regularly check fencing and gates, and suggest the use of surveillance cameras to help identify thieves.

Public sympathy for stock theft must end

One police official interviewed by the press said that public sympathy for stock thieves is resulting in lighter sentences and fewer people being willing to come forward as witnesses.  This empathy for livestock thieves is making life difficult for police and farmers alike.

The public perception of livestock thieves as audacious adventurers will have to change. However, he also blames farmers who don’t report thefts. When police don’t know the extent of a problem, it can slip off their radar. The first step in combatting theft from farms will be for farmers to report every incident, no matter how minor it may seem.

Police advise farmers on security

Police advise farmers to put up anti-trespassing signage, check fences and gates often, and monitor stock number daily. Wherever possible, farmers are advised to use shed space to lock up implements, and police say that siting sheds within sight of homesteads and adding security lighting can help to keep thieves away.

They also suggest that at night, when most stock thefts take place, stock should be kept out of sight of access roads. If at all possible, it’s best to keep cattle within sight of homesteads, and of course, tagging is still a good defence while dogs act as a deterrent, even if all they do is bark.

It’s sad that farmers can no longer feel safe and secure on their own land, but stock theft is nothing new. If the agricultural community works with law enforcement, the combined effort could make rural crime sprees less attractive than they currently are.

Is your shed secure? That’s where we can help. Call us for advice if you need a safe place to keep valuable equipment.

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