Cameras tackle farm theft
Security cameras will help police in the fight against farm thefts in the Mid West.
Police investigating fuel, fodder and stock thefts, plus trespassing and poaching from dams in rural areas, have welcomed another set of eyes.
The Shire of Mingenew has obtained funding for on-farm security cameras.
It was one of 18 recipients of grants totalling more than $368,000 from the latest round of State Government crime prevention grants.
The shire received $3643 to run a Rural Watch program and will purchase four static cameras.
Farmers in the Shire of Mingenew can pay a bond and borrow cameras for several weeks.
Farmers will also be encouraged to display Rural Watch signs and communicate with neighbours about matters of farm security.
Shire of Mingenew community development officer Megan Criddle said police suggested camera footage would help to track thieves who stole fuel, trespassed or poached from dams.
“It would be good to be able to get footage of suspects and help police track them down,” she said.
“It will be great to see how the program works. If this is successful, we will also look at running a Neighbourhood Watch program in Mingenew.”
First Class Constable Kurt Winfield, from nearby Three Springs Police Station, said earlier this month police had investigated the theft of three large hay bales from a property.
“These are the big, round bales — you need a tractor to lift them onto a truck,” he said.
“The problem we have is there are so many back roads around the farm. The cameras will really help us see who is going to and fro.”
Member for Moore Shane Love said crime prevention required a co-ordinated approach and the Rural Watch project was relevant to all farming communities.
“The Shire of Mingenew will act as lead facilitator in this program, working with the local police and encouraging the farming community to let neighbours know of their whereabouts and report suspicious vehicles,” Mr Love said.
The Rural Watch program will begin after the arrival of Mingenew’s new police sergeant in July.
