Reported stock theft events have been increasing on the South Coast over the past three years, according to data from the NSW Police.
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A police spokesperson said the South Coast Police District had recorded six stock theft events between January and July 2020.
This related to one goat, two alpacas, one cow, 61 sheep and 21 bee hives.
The spokesperson said before this year there were three events in 2019 and one event in 2018.
This week, an operation to prevent livestock theft by disrupting the movement of stolen stock within NSW will be rolled out across the Southern Region.
Operation Stock Check is a high-visibility strategy that will allow officers of all ranks to inspect vehicles carrying livestock to identify and target loads that may have been stolen.
A police media release stated a total of 406 livestock theft incidents have been reported over the past three years in the South Coast, Monaro, Lake Illawarra, Murrumbidgee, Murray River, Riverina, Wollongong and Hume Police Districts.
This includes the theft of about 20,354 sheep and 864 cattle, representing a reported value of more than $3.1million for Southern Region, the media release stated.
"Police in Southern Region can now stop any vehicle carrying livestock in order to confirm the origin of the stock being moved," Southern Region Sponsor for Rural Crime and Riverina Police District Commander Superintendent Bob Noble said.
"Officers will also be interacting with farmers and engaging with members of their rural communities to ensure they are protecting their stock in every way they can, as prevention is key."
Rural Crime coordinator Detective Inspector Cameron Whiteside said Operation Stock Check is not targeting truck drivers, but criminals.
"All vehicles large and small will be stopped, and paperwork checked, to ensure the animals being moved are not stolen livestock," he said.
"I want to remind all legitimate carriers, along with farmers that convey their stock in smaller vehicles and trailers, to have their paperwork in order so we can quickly identify those who are doing the wrong thing."
Anyone with information about livestock theft can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or by clicking here.