Raiders targeting farm guns

Guns have been stolen from four rural properties in recent weeks in similar ram-raid fashion, causing enormous damage and angst for licenced gun owners.

In the latest incident Whitemore sheep farmer David Lindsay came home on April 4 to find the corner of his house and garage destroyed, his gun safe ripped open and his rifle missing.

There have also been firearms and a vehicle stolen at Longford on March 18 (the vehicle has been recovered) and two separate incidents at Beaconsfield between April 1 and 2.

In the second Beaconsfield theft a large firearms safe containing several firearms and personal items belonging to Todd Russell, who has been ill in hospital, was removed from the premises and taken away in his new Toyota Hilux.

The stolen 4WD vehicle was located burnt out on Holwell Rd, Frankford, about 6.40am on Thursday. And Police located the empty gun safe on the side of Holwell Road in a ditch. The safe door had been cut or torn off.

Mr Lindsay said his house had been ransacked, his sheds also broken into and his Landcruiser badly damaged after been used to smash through the garage roller door.

“The ute had a grain bin on the back and that has hit the fascia and spouting – almost bringing the roof down which has now been propped up,” he said.

“They’ve levelled the toilet that was in that corner, the wall has fallen down and after tying a rope from the bull bar to the gun safe and failing to pull it out, they’ve eventually found something something else to prise it open.”

While the rifle and a small amount of cash was stolen, the thieves didn’t realise there wasn’t a bolt in the firearm so it’s unuasable.

Mr Lindsay was out working on his farm when the incident occurred and said the perpetrators were lucky they didn’t meet his tractor coming back.

“This is the third time I’ve been broken into and the first time they also took several rifles,” he said.

“Considering you can shoot up to 50 wallabies per night on the farm they’re important for keeping numbers down and maintaining feed for the sheep.”

Northern Criminal Investigation Division Detective Inspector Stuart Greenwood said that police are following a “very similar line of enquiry” on all four matters which they believe are related.

“This is a series that we’re taking very seriously, particularly because firearms are involved,” he said.

“These firearms are an enabler of crime and embolden offenders, thereby putting the community at risk of injury.

“We are working with a significant amount of resources in an open investigation that we expect to come to a resolution in the near future and bring these offenders to account.”

Detective Inspector Greenwood said that landowners in remote, rural areas need to be particularly vigilant with their security because thieves have time on their side and can avoid being seen or heard.

He said in the first instance make sure all firearms are compliant and stored as per requirements.

He then advises “target hardening”, saying farmers tend to leave shed and garages unlocked making entry easy.

“It’s been the nature of country life to not expect trespassers but that has changed,” he said.

“I advise farmers to go above and beyond with their security measures.”

His tips are:

• Ensure doors, windows on homes and sheds are locked and bolted shut.
• Use CCTV cameras where the data is stored in the cloud real-time alerts are received rather than a hard-drive that thieves can remove.
• Have a monitored alarm system to receive notifications if someone is trespassing – an alarm going off that no-one can hear is inadequate.
• Keeps keys with you or well hidden.
• Don’t advertise the face that you use firearms with a Spika sticker or similar on vehicles or by posting hunting photos on social media.

Australia Institute research released this week shows the number of guns in the Australian community has surged to more than 4 million and a gun is stolen every four hours in Australia. 

The theft of legally owned guns is the biggest single source of new firearms on the black market in Australia.  

Anyone with any information on the incidents or has seen suspicious behaviour in the relevant areas are asked to contact police on 131 444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or online at www.crimestopperstas.com.au