GRANT District Council has launched a security review into the Glenburnie Saleyards following thieves brazenly stealing 55 steers at the livestock exchange.
While details of the investigation by Mount Gambier Police Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) detectives remain confidential, it is understood more than $70,000 worth of cattle was nabbed.
In a twist of events, potential closed circuit television footage of the theft has been “taped over”.
Details of the theft have been kept under wraps as police search for the cattle rustlers, but it is understood the cattle have been located interstate.
It is understood the theft has rocked council and the saleyards, which has an annual throughput of stock of around $100m each year.
At council’s meeting this week, Cr Barry Kuhl – who is a Kongorong cattle farmer – called for council’s Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) security policy to be reviewed by elected members.
“There was an incident at the saleyards where cattle was stolen and I asked to review the footage, but the footage has been taped over,” Cr Kuhl said.
“To me that is a criminal offence that has happened out there that we have recorded. If it that goes to court, the footage should be preserved. ”
The councillor said any footage should not be taped over.
Council chief executive officer David Singe yesterday described the theft as “significant” and revealed council was reviewing security at the major regional facility.
“It is disconcerting when something like this happens. Council is quite concerned given it is the owner and operator of the site,” Mr Singe said.
“Any time stock that goes missing from a major livestock operation is not a great thing.”
But he said the security surveillance issues was not linked to any wrongdoing by council staff.
He said the matter was complicated by the fact the saleyards was used by a number of external operators, which meant specific details of cattle movement were unclear.
Mr Singe said council was awaiting the outcome of the police investigation to uncover what occurred to the missing cattle.
The council leader also revealed the security at the exchange was “not ideal” and council had spoken with the owner of the missing stock.
Police senior sergeant Chris King yesterday confirmed the CIB branch was investigating the theft at the livestock exchange, which occurred on December 14.
“This is an ongoing investigation and we cannot comment even further,” Snr Sgt King told The Border Watch yesterday.
The high-ranking police officer called for people with any information to contact CIB unit or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Livestock SA southern region chair Peter Stock – who is a Lucindale producer – said stock thefts continued to be an issue facing regional producers.
He said the fall-out of these thefts was costly for producers and usually corresponded with high market prices.
“Any theft of stock is worrying. We need to work together to catch these people,” Mr Stock told The Border Watch yesterday.
While stock thefts had occurred, Mr Stock said “very few” people had been convicted.
“It amazes me how so few get to court,” the livestock industry advocate said.
But he said a theft from a saleyards was unusual given stock was usually taken from paddocks and it sometimes took farmers some time to discover livestock, particularly sheep, were missing.
“I know of an incident at the Naracoorte Saleyards 20 years ago where a pen of lambs went missing – we never managed to get to the bottom of that,” Mr Stock said.
“Stock thefts have been something has been going on for the past 200 years, it is not new. Even Waltzing Matilda was about stock theft.”
He said the police had launched Operation Poach, which aimed to target stock thieves.
According to a report, Grant District Council has CCTV surveillance installed at the Port MacDonnell Community Complex, Glenburnie Saleyards and Mount Gambier Airport.
Council also has a number of trail cameras set up around the district.
Council policy outlines that video surveillance recordings can only be “destroyed six months after the last action taken in relation to them”.
