Farm crime in Australia

Abstract

Anecdotal evidence suggests that damage to, and theft of, stock and equipment are significant problems in rural Australia. To identify the scope of the problem, the National Crime Prevention Program commissioned the Australian Institute of Criminology to undertake a study of farm crime in Australia. This report relies on data from a quantitative survey conducted of farmers Australia-wide in 2002-03, as well as qualitative interviews with key stakeholders throughout the farm business network. It provides an overview of the current state of farm crime in Australia including geographical and statistical analyses; a discussion of the relationship between rural policing, the community and the farm business network; and provides a series of practical options for crime prevention measures.