Wednesday, 13 December 2017
MOREE will be a lynchpin in the NSW Government’s mission to stop rural crime, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall today announcing new senior police presence to boost the local response.
Mr Marshall said an additional Detective Sergeant and two Constables would be soon based in Moree, one of four new senior roles formed yesterday to crack down on stock theft, illegal hunting and trespass across country NSW.
“Rural Crime Prevention Teams will soon battle crime across regional areas, working under local supervision and under the new State Rural Crime Co-ordinator,” Mr Marshall said.
“These new teams, including two extra constables, will work under oversight from Moree’s Detective Sergeant to put into practice recently enacted legislation, ensuring rural criminals can be caught, charged and punished.”
Mr Marshall said rural crime had significant impacts across the Northern Tablelands, as opportunistic criminals relied on the isolation of remote properties.
“Hardworking farmers have to contend with these cowards trespassing, poaching, stealing livestock and equipment, causing biosecurity hazards and reducing landowners’ sense of safety and wellbeing,” he said.
“The Bradshaw Review has strengthened the legislative and operational frameworks for handling these crimes and today’s announcement will ensure they’re enforced with a statewide reach and local focus.
“A Detective Sergeant and two Constables will be based in Moree, working as a point of contact for the community and liaising with a network of Rural Crime Investigators locally and across the state.
“This investigation and information sharing will ensure farmers have confidence in reporting rural crimes, and that criminals can’t travel around the regions in hopes of avoiding detection.
“In recent weeks, Moree has seen the introduction of two more probationary constables, excellent results from the targeted Strike Force Claymore and a renewed focus on rural crime.
“We now also have a new local Police Commander in Scott Tanner – someone who has spent his whole career in the bush and understand what community policing is all about.
“With restructuring to continue statewide in 2018, I will work to ensure Moree receives the local police presence it needs to thwart criminals in town and on properties.”