Police build field days partnership

Members of the region’s proactive-policing unit will speak with Wimmera Machinery Field Days attendees about the co-operative role people can play in crime-prevention.

Wimmera Proactive Policing Unit Acting Sergeant Lee-anne Birthisel said the team would engage with farming communities about issues including farm safety, firearm storage and crime reporting.

“We will aim to increase awareness about reporting crime and suspicious activities on farms,” she said.

“The police will be providing information handouts on farm safety and crime prevention – especially around livestock thefts, theft of motor vehicles, shed burglaries, firearm thefts and new firearm storage requirements.”

The unit will also have two safety and compliance officers from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator on site to answer questions about the operation of heavy vehicles on farms, and on regional roads, as well as Game Management Authority information about the upcoming duck hunting season.

“We will have a heap of material on everything including information from the Transport Accident Commission, Crime Stoppers, Neighbourhood Watch, Police Assistance Line and Online Reporting, and the Farm Crime Unit,” she said.

“People will be welcome to check out a highway patrol vehicle on site, and we will have some really great giveaways.

“Plus, we will have a couple small farm-crime tractors that children are welcome to take a ride in.”

Acting Sergeant Birthisel said the unit would also have information about how people could join Victoria Police.

“Please drop by and see us,” she said.

Safety plea

Wimmera police want to ensure visitors to the field days – and the region – remain safe.

Officers will monitor an increased volume of traffic travelling across the region, along with crowd behaviour at the field days and venues in localities nearby, as the population swells.

Horsham police Acting Inspector Matt Haughton encouraged people to plan ahead.

“Please be careful and patient while making your way to and from the field days. There can be some traffic congestion and we want everyone to arrive safely and enjoy their time at the event,” he said.

The field days is traditionally a social event for residents and visitors, attracting thousands of people through its gates and exhibitors from nearby towns and interstate to the region.

The event this year also falls just ahead of the Labor Day long weekend – which includes the annual The Weekly Advertiser Horsham Fishing Competition, which is another boon for the region.

“If anti-social behaviour is reported or seen, it will be dealt with accordingly,” Acting Inspector Haughton said.

“We encourage people to enjoy themselves and at the same time respect those around them, drink responsibly and don’t drink and drive.

“The roads will be busier over the long weekend and we want everyone to arrive at their destinations safely.”