THE battle to curb the crimes plaguing the Central West’s rural areas moved into the spotlight at the NSW Farmers’ Association’s annual conference in Sydney.
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The state’s peak body for farmers has called for more police and tougher penalties for trespassing.
And a key report sought by the NSW government about increasing numbers of illegally poached animals is to be considered by the Cabinet.
Association president Derek Schoen told delegates his first 12 months at the helm had been inundated with reports of trespass, property and stock theft, and illegal hunting across NSW.
Members passed motions calling on the NSW government to provide additional funding and staffing for rural police stations, particularly so they could attend out-of-hours calls.
Delegates also passed a motion calling for a minimum mandatory fine of $5500 for trespass.
Deputy Premier Troy Grant said while record numbers of police had been allocated to regional NSW, the biggest challenge was finding police to fill those positions.
“I'm working closely with Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione to look at new and innovative ways to attract police to the bush,” he said.
This would include assessing whether the current incentive package was adequate, he said.
The government had also commissioned an inquiry into stock theft, which was led by retired Superintendent Steve Bradshaw.
Mr Bradshaw's report is to be considered by Cabinet, the deputy premier says.
Debate about rural crime at the NSW Farmers’ Association conference occurred days after firearms were stolen during three separate break-ins at Dubbo and Wellington.
Inspector Dan Skelly said there had been at least three break-ins in a week where firearms were stolen in the Orana Local Area Command alone.
He appealed to all licensed gun owners to make sure their firearms were secured in accordance with the legislation, to mitigate the risk of them being stolen.
