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ACT NZ plans to crack down on rural crime should it hold sway post-election. In the
meantime, Franklin’s farmers and growers are more likely to fall victim to country
crooks at this time of year.
Crime in rural areas often tends to spike during winter for a variety of reasons. Shorter days and rainy nights can mask the sight and sound of thieves in action, as Franklin local board chair, Alan Cole confirms.
“Generally, there’s quite a bit of [crime] at this time of year and thieves will target farms at night,” he says.
“As for lifestylers, they tend to be at risk [year-round] during the day when they’re away at work.”
Higher cost and lower supply of diesel also appears to be exacerbating the problem nationwide.
While proximity to the city may be beneficial in some ways, the ease for thieves to
disappear into built-up areas can make Franklin farmers and growers more of a target
than those in more remote areas.
To help stop criminals in their tracks, ACT is acting – the party’s plan is focused on rounding up a dedicated rural crime unit.
A former Feds’ Auckland president, Cole says he likes the idea, in principal.
“It could work well because if police are out patrolling, they’re more likely to get to an incident quicker, but not if having more patrols in rural areas means there are fewer in our
local towns.”
Federated Farmers rural crime spokesperson Karl Dean agrees.
“Thieves, livestock rutlers, poachers and boy racers are an absolute nuisance in our rural communities,” he says. “
They feel like they can get away with it more easily in isolated parts of the country. So, a dedicated rural crime unit [will be] music to farmers’ ears.”
ACT also intends to impose tougher penalties on poachers and livestock rustlers as these forms of crime come with added danger.
“When people intent on this sort of crime are carrying firearms, that’s a recipe for tragedy if anyone gets in their way,” Dean says.
While ACT’s tougher stance will be depend on how many seats the party secures at this year’s general election, cameras remain a key weapon in the fight against rural crime, Cole adds.
“There are a lot of good motion activated cameras that can help deter or catch [thieves]. When I had my dairy farm, I put a camera in to capture every vehicle coming in and out, just for that reason. It was very useful.”
