Gisborne farmers combat rural rustling

File photo / NZ Herald

Gisborne's farming community and police have joined forces to tackle what appears to be a wave of organised stock rustling around the district - with as many as 30 sheep stolen each night.

Gisborne police area commander Inspector Sam Aberahama has called on farming communities, stock agents and transporters to be the "eyes and ears" of the campaign against rural crime.

Farmers, stock agents and transport companies have joined police and Federated Farmers to combat rustling.

"Prevention of crime is the focus," says Hamish Cave, Federated Farmers Gisborne-Wairoa provincial president.

Farmers on the Gisborne Flats are actively stepping up security levels in an attempt to tackle stock thefts.

Increased paddock patrols have been reported and a farmer has just cancelled a family holiday to keep an eye on his stock.

Another sheep farmer has bought high-powered spotlights for night monitoring and new locking systems have been installed on a number of farms.

A butcher said he suspected a gang-affiliated stock rustling ring was operating in the Gisborne area and netting a small fortune.

"You are talking about $150 a mutton on the market just now," he said.

"These guys would be looking at around $100 for an under-the-counter mutton, so you are talking about $2000 for a night's work.

"It's a co-ordinated operation, not just a couple of cowboys turning up and throwing a few lambs in the boot.

They would tackle maybe three or four farms in go, and it could take months for farmers to notice the loss.

The butcher, who did not wish to be named, says he knows that in the past, organised gangs had access to a vast array of equipment, including bandsaws and chilling rooms.

"Only a few years ago, groups linked to gang activity were heavily involved in this sort of behaviour.

"I'm glad the police have made a commitment to stepping up the fight on this, as it is a big problem just now.

"I wouldn't rule out a gang operation."

Federated Farmers would help police understand how animal status declarations, stock movement and new tagging requirements meshed together.

In return, farmers are urged to report any suspicious activity and unusual vehicles to police.

"Knowledge is power and a combined approach between farmers and police will be potent," said Mr Cave.

"What's at stake here is the livelihoods of farmers."

Mr Aberahama said police were "concerned" at the levels of stock rustling here.

"We have had some good results in catching stock rustlers.

"But police can't do this alone and we rely heavily on the rural community to be our eyes and ears.

There are nine rural police stations in the Gisborne/Wairoa area, stretching from Kotemaori in the south to Te Araroa in the north.