Rural Crime Prevention Teams Strengthening Support Across NSW

NSW Police Rural Crime Prevention Teams are providing greater support for victims of stock theft, illegal hunting and trespass. With Member for Wagga wagga, Daryl Maguire MP welcoming the initiate.

Rural Crime Prevention Teams will be working across northern, southern and central NSW and will be overseen by the State Rural Crime Coordinator.

Mr Maguire mentioned the new teams would complement the rural crime legislation recently passed by the NSW Parliament.

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has a proud record when it comes to rural crime,” Mr Maguire said.

“Our farmers have enough on their plates without having to bear the brunt of such wanton acts of destruction.

These new teams will go a long way to giving them the confidence to report criminal activity, and be on the frontline to prevent and disrupt crime at the same time.”

Minister for Police Troy Grant said the NSW Police Force is focused on giving regional and rural areas the targeted policing they deserve.

Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said improvements are continually being made to ensure the NSW Police Force can respond to rural crime issues such as those targeted by the new prevention teams. “Rural Crime Prevention Teams are about providing support where it is needed and introducing a better structure for our investigators to perform their duties,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys said. “More specially-trained rural crime officers will be clustered in our regional centres to target and prevent crime and respond quickly when it occurs.

“We know rural crime is one of the biggest issues for regional and rural NSW and this structure provide a better oversight and resources for officers to proactively prevent crime.”

Three Detective Sergeants and a Detective Inspector will support and coordinate the teams, and will incorporate investigation, prevention and intelligence sharing across the regions.