Harry Matthews: Officer joins rural crime fight

Keith Butters meets with Craig Sole (middle) and Harry Matthews from Federated Farmers. Photo / Bevan Conley

Rural crime is a scourge on farming life and the Wanganui region has not escaped its reach.

Offending ranges from opportunistic rustling of sheep from the roadside to organised raids where considerable numbers of cattle or sheep are rounded up and trucked away.

The senseless slaughter of animals for choice bits of meat, with the carcass left to rot in the paddock or roadside, is particularly upsetting.

Even more urban-centric crimes such as burglary, in which it seems anything that isn't tied down is fair game, are becoming increasingly prevalent in rural areas.

Four wheel motorbikes are a popular target, especially around "illegal grass growing season", and rented out cottages and spare houses on farms can be put to use as P-labs.

It's probably fair to say that community spirit isn't what it used to be.

The permanent rural population is dwindling and extra lodgings on farms are being taken up by a more transient crowd, some of whom have no inclination to be involved in contributing to the wellbeing of rural life.

To be brutally honest, a minority of them are the cause of any misdemeanours or at least a link between the scene of the crime and perpetrator.

To combat offending, strong community spirit is a very good start.

Having a good communication network between neighbours is a start. Conversations about suspicious vehicles or behaviour can be just the tip-off needed to catch perpetrators, when the details are shared with the local constabulary.

Cameras have proven their worth when they're put in the right places. They may be more affordable if a group of neighbours share the cost, or perhaps insurance companies or banks could help fund them as both have profited handsomely from rural communities over the years.

Federated Farmers, FMG and the NZ Police are forging a stronger partnership, and are running rural crime prevention workshops around the nation.

I take this opportunity to congratulate Keith Butters on becoming Wanganui's new rural community cop.

Keith has spent most of his life around these parts and used to have a block up Kauarapaoa Rd. He's keen to get out and about into farming areas of Wanganui so if you come across him, wave him down.

As with most good law enforcement officers, Keith is partial to a bit of home baking to go along with chats about how to head off local offending.

- For tips on how to better secure your property from theft and other crime, check out the guide at //www.fmg.co.nz/globalassets/advice/rural-crime-prevention-advice-guide.pdf

- Harry Matthews is Wanganui president of Federated Farmers.