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Stamping out livestock theft and farm related crime
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Stamping out livestock theft and farm related crime

Livestock theft and other farm related crimes will be targeted by the formation of a Livestock and Farm Crime Specialists Group within Victoria Police, according to Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull.

“Livestock prices are currently better than they have been for quite some time, which is only good news for farmers, however unfortunately good prices can also lead to an increase in opportunistic theft,” he said.

“East Gippsland relies on its livestock producers as important contributors to the local economy and they have faced their share of hardship over recent years.”

The new group will be supported by a Victoria Police committee, which will include representatives from the Victorian Farmers’ Federation, Department of Primary Industries, The Municipal Association of Victoria, the Stock Agents’ Association of Victoria and others.

“It will be staffed by as many as 12 Victoria Police members across the state. This will provide a specialist point of contact for farmers who are victims of theft or farm crime.”

“This announcement is great news for local farmers reassuring them there is a specialised group specifically formed to crack down on theft from farms,” said Mr Bull.

“Renewing the focus on farming as a target area for crime prevention and theft response was an important election priority for the Coalition Government, and I am pleased to see this policy implemented.”