Hogan said Butters had done a lot of work to help install cameras throughout the district, meaning police could follow up on registration plates.
In March, the Pākaraka/Nukumaru Neighbourhood Support Group installed a camera at the junction of Handley, Maxwell Station and Ototoka Beach roads, after fundraising $5000 and receiving a $1000 grant from the community board.
It was the seventh community camera installed in the western area of the district in the past few years.
Group spokesperson Kate Lynch told the Chronicle this week the cameras “deterred crime in the first place” and allowed video evidence to be provided to police.
“That has ended in prosecution.
“There was one incident where a vehicle went up a road, then came back loaded with a motorbike and various other things.
“It was pretty clear-cut.”
Like Hogan, Lynch said those in rural areas had to report thefts, “not just to think ‘my bad luck’”.
“In our area, if someone lets me know, then I can let the rest of the district know to keep a look-out for a vehicle.”
Hogan, who spent 28 years in the Armed Offenders Squad, including 23 as a police dog handler, said people could report incidents to 105, the line for non-urgent crime.
Board member Charlie Anderson said the price of beef and lamb in shops was ”going through the roof" and that would make the issue of stock theft worse.
Stats NZ figures from October showed the average price of a 1kg pack of beef mince was $23.17, up 18% from 12 months previously.
Hogan said about 26 calves had been stolen since he started in the role two months ago, as well as cattle and sheep.
“It goes on and on, and those are only the ones that have been reported to us.
“When metal prices climbed, everything that was metal was being stolen.
“It’s the same with the stock now. We’ve got to be more vigilant.”
In July, 65 12-week-old calves were stolen from a farm on State Highway 2 near Dannevirke.
Hogan said the calves in Whanganui had been taken in small numbers.
“Because they are hand-fed, they’ve come to the offenders and have just been thrown in the canopy of a ute.”
He said it was good there were rural community groups looking after each other but police needed to be informed of incidents.
“It seems to be the case that farmers believe police aren’t going to be interested in them losing something.
“Make sure you report it, so I can start collating information and work towards preventing it.
“If you have someone arrive at your property, don’t be afraid to use your phone and take a photo of the vehicle and the person.”
The theft of livestock, or other animals, has a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment.
Any unlawful entry to land used for agriculture purpose, where someone intends on stealing livestock, could result in up to 10 years’ jail time.
Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily Whanganui District Council.
