SOUTH Australian Police say a dedicated stock squad is not on the cards, but will instead tackle stock theft from this week through a coordinated approach that will include a State-wide intelligence gathering operation.
Yorke and Mid-North Local Service Area Officer-in-Charge Superintendent Peter Anderson said Operation Poach, announced at Moorundie Park Sheep Stud just outside of Crystal Brook on Monday, July 25, was in response to the increased number of stock thefts being reported across the State.
Superintendent Anderson said the operation would use police in rural areas to gather intelligence on stock thefts with the information then centralised through SAPOL’s State Intelligence Branch.
“A stock squad is not the approach being taken but police will be gathering knowledge locally by talking to auctioneers, wool buyers, stock agents, farmers’ groups and individual farmers,” he said.
“Centralised coordination through the State Intelligence Branch will help us know if there are any trends or issues developing within the State and the intelligence can then be shared throughout the State or with interstate agencies.”
Superintendent Anderson said as a rural police officer he was pleased to finally see a bigger focus on stock theft.
“It is important that rural communities see we are working with them,” he said.
