EXCLUSIVE REPORT
A LIMESTONE Coast police inspector has described the theft of crucial forestry water fighting equipment as “idiotic” given this week’s perilous fire danger conditions.
With the mercury expected to soar to a scorching 42 degrees today, Green Triangle Forest Products (GTFP) is reeling from a stolen generator and tyres from a submersible pump trailer used to refill a major regional water storage tank used to battle fires.
This equipment – one of only three in the region – was used “around the clock” in the recent Kentbruck fires near Nelson and will not be operational if a fire breaks out this week.
The theft from a Kongorong plantation estate comes as regional police signal a major crackdown on crime in forestry areas.
Illegal hunting of native animals and feral deer in forestry areas with firearms as well as bow and arrows will among crime targeted by law enforcers.
Dumped and torched cars as well as illegal drug activity will also be in their sights following a new initiative developed between police and the regional forestry sector.
“Quite simply this type of theft is just idiotic behaviour,” police operations inspector Campbell Hill said at the Kongorong theft site yesterday.
Inspector Hill said Limestone Coast Police were focusing on combating rural crime, which led to the new crime prevention working group with the forestry sector.
“We will be able to better deploy police resources into these areas,” Inspector Hill said.
“This theft at Kongorong is the perfect example of crime happening in isolated areas, whether it was farming properties or forestry.
“We have people trying to get on with their day-to-day business, but are being victimised by crime.
“As the GTFP people are saying there is a dollar value attached to these thefts, but real the impact is on production and their fire fighting capacity.”
He said these thieves did not contemplate the ramifications of stealing these items.
“It is a real frustration thing – there is thoughtlessness to this behaviour. We need to make no bones about it. This is people going out an stealing what they can.”
He said GTFP chained the tyres and bolted things down to stop this theft, which occurred near a public waste transfer facility.
“They have gone to the effort to make it reasonable that things wouldn’t get stolen, but these people are so set on it and they will find a way to pinch it anyway.”
Moreover, cars being dumped and burnt was a particular concern for police given the fire risk.
Inspector Hill called on people to be vigilant and report any crime or suspicious activity to police.
“We can do anything about things that we don’t know about,” the police inspector said.
“We cannot put resources into the right areas and get out there and prevent crime, if we don’t know what is happening.”
Inspector Hill praised the new link with the forestry industry, which was announced this week.
“They are able to speak with us directly where they can raise concerns and highlight where things are happening in a quick timeframe,” he said.
“This means we can put our people in the right areas.
“We also want to send the message that property owners are not alone and we are there to back them up. We really need information to come through so we can be as proactive as we can.”
“If people are in these regions and see vehicles that don’t fit in the area, we would encourage people to ring 131 444 at the time. If we know at the time, we can send people down straight away.
“The key thing is that we want to know.”
Information can also be given to “local police officers” and Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
He flagged properties could also utilise covert and trail cameras to gather evidence of illegal hunting and crime.
The police officer revealed the Kongorong area had been a hot spot for crime in recent weeks, which included 600 litres of diesel of stolen and a truck battery from a property.
“Certainly, the reported crime we have had its indicative of that. We have had a few things in a small space of time so we will now have resources out this way,” Inspector Hill said.
He said property owners hit with crime were not only facing the cost of the theft, but the disruption to their primary industry enterprises.
“It is a real kick in the teeth,” Inspector Hill said.
He also called on illegal dumpers not to discharge rubbish in forest areas.
“These are tracks that they quite often used to extinguish fires and could potentially trap forestry people in a fire,” Inspector Hill said.
He said people needed to be aware it was an offence to buy stolen property or retain stolen property.
“There is always people in the community who knows who is doing it and where the items are. We would ask them to contact Crime Stoppers – they can remain anonymous.”
