In jaw-dropping stats from the Crime Statistics Agency, a whopping $5.74 million worth of livestock, tools and equipment were reported as stolen by farmers over the past 12 months.

Bridgewater officer Mick Balazs recently identified thefts as one of the major focus areas for police in the Loddon area north of Bendigo.

He said that good livestock prices were helping drive crime. Gun thefts and burglaries were also focus areas.

He was encouraging contacts in the farming community to contact him and other police about any suspicious activity.

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Complacent farmers not locking up their tools could be contributing to the issue said one police officer in the Ballarat region.

“Crooks are finding it easier to steal up in the country,” he said.

“Farmers now have to adjust to the changing world. These thieves have cars, they can drive up into your paddock, get into your shed and take what they please if you leave it unlocked.” 

This total value of items stolen from farms could potentially even approach the $10 million range if many crimes went unreported, or farmers may not notice when seldom used items are taken from their shed.

“They might not notice for months. If a $1000 chainsaw gets stolen from your shed a lot of people might not notice it’s gone until you go to cut down a tree.”

The officer also said the rise in drug use in the region could be playing a contributing factor in the increase in thefts. 

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