“PITT Street farmers” have become a favourite target for thieves across the Central West.
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A new operation targeting rural theft has been put in place across the Chifley Local Area Command, following a spate of thefts from rural properties.
And police say the owners of “weekender” farms that are left vacant during the week need to take particular care.
To date, stolen items include motorbikes, tools, chemicals, electrical goods, fencing materials and furniture.
But it’s the theft of a safe containing firearms near Wallerawang last weekend that most concerns police.
While officers are confident about a number of leads, Chifley crime manager Detective Acting Inspector Gareth Smith said community assistance was needed to help identify offenders.
“An operation is now in place across the command,” he said.
“Police are pursuing a number of leads in an effort to apprehend these offenders, but I would urge anyone with information that may assist police to contact their nearest station or Crime Stoppers.”
Detective Acting Inspector Smith said properties left vacant during the week were being particularly targeted.
“These offences are scattered across the command, so this problem is not isolated to Bathurst – a lot of places being targeted by thieves are weekenders,” he said.
“Stations across the command are doing more active patrols as part of the operation.
“Police are calling on locals to be alert for any suspicious activity in their area.”
The action has come as local police attempt to quell the rising number of break, enter and steal offences at isolated properties in the Central West.
Last weekend, thieves forced entry into a Pipers Flat property near Wallerawang.
They ransacked each room, stealing a bed, lounge room furniture, a television, dishwasher, fridge and numerous other items.
The thieves then forced entry into a secure shed and stole a quad bike, box trailer and a safe containing several firearms.
The next day a motorcycle was stolen from a camp ground at Newnes. The bike is described as an orange KTM, with 2006 registration TGE66.
Police are also seeking assistance in relation to a number of break, enter and steal offences that have occurred in the Blayney area. A farm produce store was broken into twice – the first in mid-June and again week later.
A large quantity of fencing material was stolen in the first instance and a substantial amount of sheep and cattle drench was stolen on the second occasion, along with twin-axle trailer.
The Western Advocate’s rural columnist John Seaman encouraged farmers to look out for each other.
“We must all be vigilant, take photos of suspicious vehicles, write down number plates and report unusual happenings to police,” Mr Seaman said.
If you have any information, contact police on 6332 8699 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
