Dr. Gurchand Singh:

Farm crime is an area we have examined in our research and analysis. It is not just looking at livestock but also at other factors, such as theft of tools. Tools are the main items being stolen from farms, along with diesel. We have been putting together information to support plans in those rural areas. We have also been monitoring TheftStop, which is showing some very positive benefits in the areas where it has been rolled out. The reductions in theft are at a higher level than in other areas where TheftStop has not been rolled out.

Taking a step back, a positive aspect is that looking at farm theft for the first six months of year, there has been a reduction of approximately 40% from the same period last year. That mirrors some of the other reductions that have been occurring in terms of property crime, and it is driven by activities such as Operation Thor. To some extent, this is also mirrored in people's perceptions. We run the public attitudes survey and we ask people about their perceptions of crime. When we ask people about perception of crime in rural areas, they see it as a concern. It is interesting that when we ask them what it is like in their local area, the concern drops. There is no difference in the perceptions of crime in the local area between rural and urban areas. There is some concern but it seems to lie at the national level, so it is a wee bit more nuanced than just general fear of crime. It is almost layered. There are concerns but they are pitched more at the national level.