A new state-wide Rural Crime campaign by Crime Stoppers and the NSW Police Force was launched on Tuesday.
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The campaign will begin in Young and the Hume PD from September 4.
The campaign is to address the ongoing issue of crimes affecting regional NSW with Crime Stoppers and NSW Police collaborating for the first time on a dedicated campaign to address the issue.
Four major crime areas of concern are being targeted - illegal hunting, stock theft, trespassing and firearm theft.
More than 20,000 individual head of stock stolen from NSW farms in 2018, with the loss of sheep and cattle alone costing farmers over an estimated $3.2 million.
The campaign will provide information on how regional communities can deter or prevent crime in their area while encouraging the community to report crime - see something, suspect something, say something.
NSW residents are being urged to contact Crime Stoppers, to report any illegal activity with all information treated in the strictest of confidence.
Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie APM, Commander for Rural Crime, said rural crime is continuing to have a devastating impacting across the State.
"To make a real difference, we need a whole of community approach. There are some preventative measures that can be undertaken such as installing cameras, ensuring gates are locked and in the case of firearm theft, ensuring guns are locked and ammunition kept separate to any firearms," Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie said.
"It is also important to report crime as soon as it occurs, whether you are the victim or you have witnessed a crime. A call to Crime Stoppers or the Police at the earliest opportunity increases the chances of recovering stolen livestock or firearms and catching the people committing these terrible crimes."
Call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 for a confidential conversation, or report securely online at www.crimestoppers.com.au.
