Federated Farmers: Police invite Feds to talks on rural security

Federated Farmers, FMG and the police recently hosted a conference on rural crime looking at ways of reducing theft in our rural communities.

An increased focus on rural security by Federated Farmers is seeing police get tough on the issue.

A national Rural Police Prevention conference in September addressed growing rural community frustration around security and looked at the steps needed to improve the situation.

Federated Farmers rural security spokesperson Rick Powdrell was invited by police to contribute to the discussion as the 'rural insider' for the police.

"We've been placing a high emphasis on the rural security issue through our direct contact with Ministers and Senior Police. It's a big issue for the rural community and action has to be taken," Mr Powdrell said.

"Federated Farmers welcomed the invitation from police to take part in the conference. It gave us an important opportunity to highlight the key issues for farmers and to clarify some of the misunderstanding surrounding them."

The police have admitted they need to invest more in rural security, and have started mapping out a rural police strategy and action plan.

"It's extremely encouraging to see how committed the Police are to improving rural security," Mr Powdrell said.

"The strategy will be implemented nationwide, however an initiative between police, Federated Farmers and FMG will be a concentrated focus in the Northland, Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions. This initiative involves formulating a series of rural security guidelines to assist the rural community to implement the best security plan for their own individual properties."

It is planned to have roadshow meetings for rural communities that will provide an opportunity for rural people to voice their concerns and learn more about the ways they can help prevent crime.

The police are also keen to help farmers implement security measures on their farms.

"The strategy will address what tools we as farmers need to do to help ourselves. Every property and situation is different so it will be about doing what's practical for you," Mr Powdrell said.