Police are hiring an additional 18 officers to target stock and diesel thieves, illegal hunters and trespassers on rural properties in the region.
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Western Region Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie said the additional investigators will make a massive difference in combating rural crimes.
“Given the drought and other conditions, the impact of theft particularly of stock could be very significant on people involved in rural industries,” Assistant Commissioner McKechnie said.
“Often people are not insured.
“We want to target core of criminals operating in these areas.”
Last calendar year, regional NSW lost about $3.3 million worth of stocks in reported thefts.
Assistant Commissioner McKechnie said new officers will be recruited over the next two to three years and placed across the state.
This will be in addition to the recruitment of 1500 new police officers announced late last year.
Currently, the Rural Crime Prevention Teams are based at Moree, Cootamundra and Parkes and have 37 officers.
“We are achieving some fantastic results and conducting very good investigations,” Assistant Commissioner McKechnie said.
“With this extra 18 officers, we can really lift our level of service.
“We can place detectives in places where they have never been placed before.”
Assistant Commissioner McKechnie encouraged people in rural and regional areas to apply for these new positions.
“We are always looking people for people from regional NSW to join the police.”
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