The Western Division Councils of NSW called for a review of the laws in order to give police more power to seize the equipment of offenders.

The group of 10 councils agreed to ask the NSW government to review the legislation after meeting in Cobar earlier this month.

At the gathering representatives expressed concerns about damage and destruction caused by illegal hunters on private property.

“There are continual complaints about these people who have no respect for property or landholders rights and are causing thousands of dollars. . . of damage,” Western Division Councils and president Balranald mayor Leigh Byron said.

Chief Inspector Brenton Lee spoke to the group about the success of the Darling River Local Area Command’s Operation High Ground, targeting illegal hunters, and the ongoing challenges.

The Western Division Councils reported from January to March there were 59 rural crime events and the police had 35 successful convictions.

The convictions includes trespass, unlawful entrance, firearms, cause death of animals and entering closed lands without permission.

At a similar time the NSW Farmers’ Association has put the spotlight on the issue of rural crime.

Delegates at the peak body’s annual conference last week resolved to call on the NSW government to implement a minimum mandatory fine of $5500 for trespass.

Young Farmers vice chairwoman Jo Newton told the association’s conference police urged that reporting crime was key to changing the way the issue was addressed.

Deputy Premier Troy Grant said while record numbers of police had been allocated to regional NSW, the biggest challenge was finding police to fill those positions.

The government had also commissioned an inquiry into stock theft, which was led by retired Superintendent Steve Bradshaw.

The report focused on the increasing number of animals illegally poached, particularly goats, Mr Grant said.

Mr Bradshaw's report is to be considered by Cabinet, the deputy premier says.