The Centre has produced a survey which seeks to gain a better understanding of the climbing rate of rural crime from the perspective of farmers and landholders.

The Centre's 2023 Australian Farm Crime Survey asks landholders to detail their experiences of rural crime, and gather opinions about the effectiveness of crime prevention.

The national survey follows the Centre's 2020 New South Wales Farm Crime Survey, the results of which had far-ranging impacts on policing of rural crime in New South Wales.

Among other issues, the New South Wales survey highlighted farmers' frustration at their inability to monitor stock against theft. In response, UNE supported a smart tag trial that proved that following a theft, stock could be successfully tracked by police.

The Centre's co-director, Dr Kyle Mulrooney, said in order to combat farm crime, police and policymakers need better information from those involved in farming who have key insights into the important issues.

"Increasing the capacity to fight farm crime is crucial," Dr Mulrooney said.

The national survey will seek perspectives from landholders large and small, from across Australia. The information will be used to build an understanding of landholder attitudes towards current policing and justice system responses to rural crime, which may eventually inform future crime prevention measures.

For more information or inquiries regarding the Australian Farm Crime Survey, please contact the principal researcher, Dr. Kyle Mulrooney: kmulroon@une.edu.au and/or 02 6773 1940.

The crime survey can be found here: https://bit.ly/3JKGwMr