ACT's rural crime crackdown spot on - Feds

ACT Party proposals for more resources to combat crime in rural areas are right on the mark, Federated Farmers says.

"Thieves, livestock rustlers, poachers and boy racers are an absolute nuisance in our rural communities," Feds rural crime spokesperson Karl Dean says.

"They don't care at all about the safety of others and they feel like they can get away with it more easily in isolated parts of the country."

Dedicated, rural-focused police resources will help stop boy racers, thieves, livestock rustlers and other offenders thinking they can get away with it in more isolated parts of the country, Karl Dean says.

"We fully support today's announcement from ACT that it wants to establish a dedicated rural crime unit within NZ Police and target an extra 100,000 extra patrol hours in rural areas.

"That'll be music to farmers' ears - and much better than horrible sound of burnouts and blaring music late at night."

Dean says extra patrols must come in addition to retaining local rural police and stations in small towns.

"Last year we successfully fought back against a plan to cut rural police resources in rural North Canterbury.

"That showed just how much rural families and businesses value having local cops on the ground in their communities, who know the people and know the area.

"When you have police stationed in rural towns, the response times are faster and offenders know they don't have the luxury of time before a cop from a distant town gets there."

Dean also applauds ACT's idea of extending eligibility for Text 111 services to people in rural areas with unreliable mobile coverage.

"That will ensure those people can contact emergency services via text when a voice call drops out.

"Mobile coverage in many rural areas remains patchy. A Text 111 service is worthwhile back-up and will add to rural residents' sense of security.

"On that technology front, we'd also support investigation into reviving the Rural Lookout app that was trialled for two years in Canterbury.

"That app let farmers report thefts and other crimes, attach photos and a geolocation using their smartphone.

"It was working really well - until it was quietly slipped into oblivion."

Federated Farmers also supports ACT's call for a crackdown on poachers and livestock rustlers, with increased penalties.

"When people intent on this sort of crime are carrying firearms, that's a recipe for tragedy if anyone gets in their way," Dean says.