A rural security group has set up in Whanganui, building on a successful model in neighbouring Taranaki.
Three years ago, the Taranaki Rural Security Partnership was formed, under the auspices of Federated Farmers, in response to community concerns about theft of livestock and poor crime reporting statistics.
At regular meetings between police, Federated Farmers, landowners and other rural stakeholders, improving communication and encouraging reporting of suspicious activity were top of the list.
Even relatively low-level crime can lead police to bigger things.
Then the only rural security group of its type in New Zealand, the partnership was asked to take part in a national committee looking at rural policing, with the aim of a consistent approach across the country.