Police have patrolled an estimated 1500km of rural roads as part of a three-day high-visibility operation in response to concerns about illegal hunting and property crime in the state's central region.
Operation Backburn is a NSW Police Rural Crime Prevention Team (RCPT) operation, with assistance from Western Region Operations Support Group, Bourke Proactive Crime Team and Central North Criminal Investigators, whereby searches, inspections and other activities are conducted to curtail rural crime.
From Thursday 6 February 2025 to Saturday 8 February 2025, officers conducted multiple actions across the Nyngan and Cobar districts,
• 17 rural property inspections
• Six residence searches
• Three livestock carrier inspections
• Two Firearms Prohibition Orders (FPO) compliance searches, and
• 20 Random Breath Tests (RBT).
Rural Crime Prevention Team State Rural Crime Coordinator, Detective Chief Inspector Cameron Whiteside, said the operation had been a great success.
"NSW Police is pleased with the results of this high-visibility operation, with key information gathered to continue our investigations into illegal hunting and property crime in the Central North Police District," Det Ch Insp Whiteside said.
"We know that this saturated police presence across Nyngan, Cobar and surrounds has increased community awareness of these types of rural crimes – which will continue to be a focus for the RCPT and local police teams.
"We appeal for anyone with information about rural crimes such as these to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000," he said.
Inquiries are continuing under Operation Backburn.
