Security cameras were a popular item among the vendors at this year’s FarmFest.

ELDERS’ FarmFest is known for one of the biggest shows of big equipment in the country, but a smaller contraption is becoming increasingly popular in the field of vendors – security cameras.

Queensland’s largest agricultural field day kicked off at Kingsthorpe, near Toowomba, this week with about 2000 exhibitors spread across the paddock. While all the usual machinery dealers and service providers were at the event, there was a noticeable presence of security cameras in the field.

Concerns about stock and equipment theft seemed to be the main reason for enquiry, with reducing workload and monitoring operations also a popular use.

Toowoomba Rural and Stock Crime Squad Detective Sergeant Glenn Evans said using security cameras on rural properties were a major help for Police.

Detective Sergeant Glenn Evans

“Unfortunately, Police don’t have the resources to run around being security guards on rural properties, so people need to take some responsibility for keeping their own equipment secure,” Mr Evans said.

“Anything they can do to identify an offender is a big help to Police and security cameras are a useful tool for that.”

Rural properties popular for thieves

While Mr Evans’ team predominantly focused on livestock-related offences, he said general equipment was popular for thieves.

“Anything that is moveable is being stolen like diesel, motorbikes, quad bikes, panels and copper wire is just everywhere at the moment,” he said.

“Firearms are also a big one at the moment, all these other things are missed but firearms are dangerous and sometimes being left unsecured in sheds.”

Mr Evans said he encouraged landholders to back up the work of putting in security cameras by engaging with neighbours and Police.

“We are seeing a lot of people who work in rural areas committing these offences, these are people who know the area well and know what they are doing,” he said.

Rowyn Hellyar

“I would encourage landholders to communicate with their neighbours and tell Police when something has happened – Police don’t have the resources to monitor social media and rely the public engaging with us.”

Many uses for security cameras

Rowyn Hellyar from RDH Integration sells and sets up surveillance cameras, specialising in agricultural. He said most of the enquiry he receives is about crime prevention.

“The first question people ask off the bat is about knowing when people are trespassing on their property,” Mr Hellyar said.

“Biosecurity is always a bit of an issue with that as well, because unauthorised people coming onto properties can provide that risk.”

Mr Hellyar contracts some large cattle companies and feedlots giving them connectivity to phone and internet services which tie into the security cameras. He said they have become a major part of operations for clients beyond security.

“We have been trying to educate people about the cameras and showing them how they can be a great way to save time,” he said.

“Some of our customers are using a 360-degree camera to keep an eye on things like irrigators, feedlot sick pens or just to get knowledge of what is going on in day-to-day operations.

“My best advice about cameras is to think about proactive ways of using them and how they can save time.”