North Canterbury News: January 11, 2024

Rural crime on the increase
By ROBYN BRISTOW
Rural crime is rising according to a
Federated Farmerssurvey.
National board member Richard
McIntrye says this underlines astrong case
for more police resources in rural areas.
More than 1000 farmers responded to
the 2023 Federated FarmersRural Crime
Survey, with 67 percent saying they had
experienced an incident in the last two
years.
This is an increase of 14% on the 2021
survey, and a26% rise from the first survey
in 2016.
Mr McIntyre urges farmers to report all
crime.
‘‘While this year’s tally was boosted by
the inclusion of aquestion on illegal street
racing, it accounted for only asmall part of
the increase.
He also notes amarked overlap with the
burnouts and dangerous driving of boy
racers, and instances of property damage
and theft.
Fuel thefts from farms continues to be a
target also.
The number of surveyed farmers
reporting asingle incident of crime (or a
suspected incident in the case of hard to
trace crimes such as theft of livestock) fell
from 28% in 2021 to 19% this year.
But those who experienced two or more
incidents in the past two years increased
from 71% to 81%.
‘‘Alarmingly, the number of farmers who
told us they’ve been hit by five or more
criminal incidents has nearly doubled to
33%,’’ Mr McIntyre says.
The most common incident in the 2023
survey is illegal street racing, reported by
nearly two­thirds of respondents.
Illegal hunting or poaching is next
highest at 47%, and property theft at 35%.
Of the more than 1000 farmers
Rural crime ... Federated Farmers urge farmers to report all instances of rural crime.
PHOTO: FILE
responding to the Rural Crime Survey,
41% said they experienced, or suspected,
poaching on their property.
That is about the same rate reported in
the 2021 survey.
Reports of livestock stolen or killed (33%
and 23% respectively) are also about the
same as in 2021.
Mr McIntyre says these incidents worry
him because they involve offenders
coming on to farms with firearms.
‘‘When hunters ask the landowner for
permission to come on the property,
there’s an opportunity to let them know
where houses are, where staff are working,
where livestock are located.
‘‘But with people hunting illegally, or
looking to steal livestock, that whole safety
element is out the window.’’
The new Government has pledged no
fewer than 500 more frontline cops will be
trained over the next two years.
Mr McIntyre says if farmers report all
crime, an accurate picture can be put in
front of the Government about the level of
offending rural communities are having to
bear the brunt of.
The 2023 survey showed, of those who
experienced or suspected acrime, nearly
half hadn’t reported the incidents to
police, which is higher than in the 2021
survey.
Mr McIntyre says while there isn’t
enough data to confirm atrendyet, it
seems likely that farming families and
businesses suffering multiple incidences
of crime are less likely to call police each
time.
‘‘We’re not helping ourselves on this
front.’’
RURAL LIFE
The North Canterbury News, January 11, 2024
2191656
23
FENCING
• Post Driving
• Stock Fencing
• Stockyards
• Post and Rails
• Lifestyle etc
Ph Andy Horn
021 214 1201 or
(03) 314 9460
QUALITY FENCING
BUILT TOYOUR BUDGET!
All types of fencing for Deer, Cattle, Sheep, Horses,
Dogs. Also Arenas, Stock Yards, Sheds, Gates
Complete Farm and Lifestyle Block Setups
Built to last,adding value to your asset!
Ashley 0274 364 776
a.duckworth@xtra.co.nz
www.duckworthfencing.co.nz
2458853
FutureFarmers
The first North Canterbury students to
take part in afarm programme aimed
at accelerating the pathway into the
sheep, beef and deer industries, have
graduated.
Growing Future Farmers provides a
two year on­farm training programme,
with avision for graduates to be
competent, employable and
passionate about the industry and its
future.
As the first cohort finishes the
programme, four other students based
out of Waiau are heading into the
second year, and anew intake of six
students, based out of Greta Valley/
Cheviot, will start the programme at
the end of January.
‘‘By farmers for farmers’’ is the
approach behind the Growing Future
Farmers programme.
It was originally set up by agroup of
farmers wanting to address the
shortage of skilled young shepherds,
and it is farmers passionate about the
industry and educating the next
generation who are providing the dayto­day
training for the students.
Harvest Time!
Local Business Serving The LocalArea.
• Hay -Baleage -Straw
Medium square, round, conventional.
Double mower conditioners, wrapping.
Individual wrapping, squares and rounds
• All agricultural and cultivation work
• Direct drilling -Giant discing -Ploughing
-Power harrow -Air seeding
We look afteryour needs like we look afterour own!
Farm trainers sponsor astudent
through aweekly living allowance,
and by providing accommodation, Wi­
Fi, power, aheading and ahuntaway
pup, along with training and
mentoring.
The programme includes:
NZQA accredited qualifications.
Practical workshops run by industry
partners.
Health, Safety &Wellbeing
programmes.
Soft skills training.
Pup training.
Independent living skills.
Training days in vehicles, fencing,
handpiece, chainsaws.
Pastoral care and support from a
liaison manager.
Voluntary work in the community,
and financial literacy.
Anyone keen on becoming aFarm
Trainer or astudent in 2025 should
check out the website and social
media pages, or phone 021 315 534, or
email info@growingfuturefarmers.co.
nz, or go to www.
growingfuturefarmers.co.nz.
All heading and windrowing
requirements
• Daily Freight Run to Ch-Ch &Return.
Ph: 0274 517 063
0274 321 581 (Bus)
03 314 4565 (H)
2331792
CONTACTYOURNORTH CANTERBURY
BASEDWELLDRILLING TEAM
FOR ALL WATER WELL DRILLING
&WELL SERVICING REQUIREMENTS
· Water well drilling · Lifestyle block supply
· Rural water supply · Pump testing
· Submersible pump installation and removal
FORPROFESSIONALSERVICE FROM AN EXPERIENCEDTEAM
027222 1587 ·malcolm@hydrill.co.nz
The
Widest
Music
Variety
Tune in nowtolistenon104.9 NorthCanterbury
and103.7 Hanmer Springs andKaikoura
2632578