The Victorian government has set up a new Farm Crime Co-ordination unit.
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Police Minister Lisa Neville said the specialised unit would work across Victoria, targeting farm crime, including livestock and equipment theft.
"We take this type of offending very seriously," Ms Neville said.
"The theft of equipment or livestock can have a huge operational impact on our farmers, on top of the financial burden."
The latest crime statistics show that in the year to March 30, 2019, almost 3600 farm-related thefts were recorded with power tools, tools, livestock, and electrical appliances among the top items stolen.
Read more: Rural crime soars 60 per cent
"We've listened to the increased concerns in rural communities, and we've acted," Ms Neville said.
"The new Farm Crime Coordination Unit will help centralise Victoria Police's response to farm crime, while also ensuring the continued presence of Farm Crime Liaison Officers across the state."
Ms Neville said Inspector Karl Curran would head up the unit, overseeing a team of more than 70 new Farm Crime Liaison Officers, previously known as Agricultural Liaison Officers.
They would be assisted by additional administrative and coordination support.
"The unit will work directly with Victoria's farming and agricultural communities and monitor crime trends and patterns to better respond to farm crime," Ms Neville said.
The team would strengthen the work already undertaken by AGLOs by monitoring crime trends and patterns, developing intelligence and working with local police to proactively and reactively address issues.
The unit would also work closely with and provide advice to Victoria's farming and agricultural community, and provide intelligence and operational advice to Victoria Police command.
The creation of the new specialist farm crime unit followed a comprehensive assessment, undertaken by the Victoria Police Capability Department on the AGLO model and response to farm crime.
Ms Neville said the enhanced and dedicated leadership and resourcing would also increase Victoria Police's ability to respond to the changing nature of crime in rural communities, including the increased use of technology and network offending.
Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes said farm crime was costly and damaged farmers and rural communities.
"I welcome the dedicated unit to further respond to and prevent these crimes to help maintain the prosperity of our vital agricultural sector."
But opposition agriculture spokesman Peter Walsh said the announcement failed to deliver, what farmers requested.
"Changing job titles is not the same as adding new frontline officers, and it won't help tackle worsening rural crime rates," Mr Walsh said.
"The government is trying to dress the announcement up like 70 new positions.
"But, in reality, there won't be any more boots on the ground in frontline roles to protect our farmers and their properties.
"Without a commitment from the Government for new frontline roles and a dedicated, specialist rural crime unit, this is just Labor shuffling the deck chairs."
Mr Walsh said the state's existing AGLOs did the best they could, to tackle rural crime, but needed more support.
"Just 12 months ago Labor was rubbishing the idea of a dedicated rural crime squad, and it's clear they still aren't listening," Mr Walsh said.
"The devil's always in the detail with Premier Daniel Andrews, and once you look closely at this announcement, it falls well short of what our farmers have been calling for."