New legislative passed in the NSW Parliament will help provide a more effective response to rural crimes such as stock theft, trespass and illegal hunting.
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The Rural Crime Legislation Amendment Bill 2017 followed a review into rural crime undertaken by former NSW Police Force Assistant Commissioner Steve Bradshaw.
Legislation passed to fight rural crime effectively
Te amendments address the impact of trespass onto rural properties, which is often accompanied by other crimes such as theft, and may trigger a biosecurity risk.
The reforms:
- Create an offence of aggravated trespass on ‘inclosed land’, where a biosecurity risk is created or increased, where the offender intends to engage in stock theft or where the offender is in possession of hunting equipment or hunting dogs;
- Include vulnerability arising from a victim’s geographical isolation as an aggravating factor in sentencing for offences;
- Provide for the power to apply to the Local Court for a stock mustering order, authorising entry onto property owned by another person to muster and recover missing stock. The owner of stock or a police officer may apply;
- Increase the maximum financial penalty for the offence of hunting on private land without the consent of the owner or occupier (from $1,100 to $2,200);
- Extend existing powers of inspectors and police officers to stop, search and detain vehicles and vessels so that these powers also apply to the offence of hunting on private land without consent. A notice to produce may be issued in relation to the power to search a vehicle that is connected with a game hunting offence; and
- Specify the requirements for proving ownership of a feral goat.
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