Illegal hunting, stock theft, trespassing and firearm theft are in the Murrumbidgee Police District's line of fire, as part of the NSW police and Crime Stoppers state-wide rural crime blitz.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This community awareness campaign will be held across the state over a six-week period, highlighting the importance of reporting crime with the 'see something, suspect something, say something' catch-phrase.
Commander Superintendent Craig Ireland was joined by Rural Crime Prevention Team Zone Coordinator Detective Sergeant Damian Nott in Griffith on Tuesday to highlight the importance of reporting.
Watch their message in the video below:
"The information we receive enables us to use our resources to target crime-rich areas, and to get it right... The greatest successes we have in tackling rural crime have been when we work closely with the community," Detective Nott said.
Since January, Murrumbidgee District have had 11 stock theft reports, roughly five per cent of the state's 231 total.
Commander Ireland said while preventative measures were important, reporting thefts enabled police to analyse the data and "increase our intelligence on the ground."
Similar campaigns in the past have yielded excellent results, and Rural Crime Detective Senior Constable Chris Wells said community information has recently lead to a successful operation in Hay.
"After the community forums in Hay last year, we received information about illegal hunting and trespassing in the area," Detective Wells said.
RELATED
"We ran a successful operation based on that information received there, and we came away with really good results."
To report crime, contact the local police station or visit the Crime Stoppers website or call on 1800 333 000 with the option to remain anonymous.
Yet the officers say nothing can beat getting to know you local cop, and encourage rural and regional residents to take a chance to put the "face to the name".
