When Crime Stoppers took on the important task of a Farm Crime awareness campaign in Victoria, we knew that our first stop would be reaching out to those who have combated the issue first-hand. Talking with two farmers based out of Western Victoria, the message was abundantly clear: farm crime affects not just the farmer…but the entire community.
In March, Farmers Daniel and James shared the devastating consequences of farm crime with the team, and spoke about the proactive measures they both take to deter criminals from intruding onto their property.
Farmer James admitted having eyes on his property 24/7 is impossible…but he isn’t one to have the wool pulled over his eyes! He confessed to keeping diaries to record license plate numbers of suspicious cars intruding on his farm which he would then pass on to local authorities.
Farmer Daniel spoke about wanting to be a role model and encourage other farmers to be more vocal in reporting farm crime to Crime Stoppers. Hoping farmers will relate to the campaign, he felt farmers have a better chance in fighting farm crime if they work together. Talk about pack mentality!
This insight laid the foundations for what evolved into our first campaign of 2022, Shut Out Farm Crime, in partnership with Victoria Police. Through this campaign, we aimed to raise awareness and help tackle the increase of livestock and fuel theft on Victorian farms.
Printed, posted and talked about in newspapers, television and radio across Victoria, James and Daniel quickly became the poster-famers for the campaign, with incredible support and praise from media and regional communities.
To help Victorian farmers enhance their security measures, we also developed free resources to be shared at two agricultural events during the campaign’s launch: Farm World in Larder Park and Seymour Alternative Farming Expo.
In between talking gate-locks and stocktake, our Community Engagement team handed out farm crime gate signs, CCTV and trailer stickers, and security checklists to the local community.
Crime Stoppers, with help from the Farm Crime Coordination Unit from Victoria Police, spoke with over 50,000 people at these events.
We even had a celebrity sighting – Farmer James stopped by Farm World to see his image up on the silver screen!
It has been a truly incredible experience engaging with regional communities, as we all work together to help shut out Victoria’s farm crime, once and for all.
The Shut Out Farm Crime campaign began in March 2022.
For more information about this campaign, head to
crimestoppersvic.com.au/farmcrime
You can also listen to Farmer Daniel and Farmer James here.