It is no surprise poultry have been stolen in Lockwood because crooks regard farms as easy targets, a police agriculture liaison officer says.
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Crime Stoppers is calling for information on a series of thefts at a property on the Calder Alternate Highway overnight on October 15, when 50 geese and 50 goslings were taken.
Later that week, 60 eggs were stolen from the same property.
Rural crime is on the rise in Victoria. Recent data from the Crime Statistics Agency showed the value of farm crime has spiked to a 10 year high in Victoria, with $5.74 million in livestock, tools and equipment stolen.
Even bees are not immune, with thieves recently making off with 16 hives near Bridgewater.
Victoria Police agriculture liaison officer Dan O’Bree said hive thefts had become increasingly common, though he had not heard of many poultry thefts in the region.
He was not familiar with the Lockwood case. However, he was never surprised by rural thefts because criminals could often get in and out of properties before farmers noticed anything amiss.
Small groups or syndicates were operating in Victoria, Leading Senior Constable O’Bree said, though they were more likely to target sheep as lamb prices rocketed upwards.
High wool prices were also driving criminal behaviour. LSC O’Bree said criminals could spend five minutes rolling four bales onto the back of their ute and expect a tidy profit.
“It could be a total of 10,000 bucks for the right wool,” he said.
“That’s a pretty good night’s work, isn’t it?”
Wool could easily be sold in batches under $1000 without raising attention, LSC O’Bree said, while sheep could be retagged and sent to saleyards, slaughtered or moved interstate.
LSC O’Bree urged farmers to upgrade security where possible, including installing better cameras and locks.
“A lock on a gate might not keep out someone really determined but it might make them drive on to another property,” he said.
“There’s hundreds of different security measures farmers can take advantage of.”
Anyone with information on the Lockwood thefts should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. They can also make a report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
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Tom O'Callaghan
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
