On his days off from the police force, Senior Constable Greg Coates, can often be found on a horse, riding around his cattle at Buchan.
Growing up on the family farm at Buchan has led to an understanding of farmers and farming, and for SenConst Coates, the knowledge that farm crimes go unreported is a major frustration for him.
“I genuinely care for the industry and want to give people the time of day and look into things,” SenConst Coates said.
“When speaking to the public at expos, I’ve been told that sometimes a person has been pretty sure something has been stolen, but aren’t 100 per cent, and have been turned away by police.
“In these incidents I encourage people to do a crime stopper report at the very least so we can track the information.”
He said people could also use the Police Assistance Line or the online reporting system, if they don’t see the incident as urgent and don’t wish to call police.
SenConst Coates is a Farm Crime Liaison Officer in Bairnsdale with Victoria Police’s Farm Crime Coordination Unit, which was established in October 2019 to specifically target crimes such as livestock and equipment theft, and criminal damage.
“Everything is driven by statistics,” he said.
“We need the reports to show what the problem is.”
The East Gippsland Region’s Farm Crime Liaison Officers (FCLO) also include Sergeant Brendan Keane, in Bairnsdale; Leading Senior Constable, Ray Moreland, at Buchan; Leading Senior Constable, Murray Porter, at Bruthen; and Sergeant Jo Geddes, at Orbost.
At Mallacoota there is Leading Senior Constable, Gavin Murphy, and Leading Senior Constable, Angus Webb, while up at Omeo the officers are Senior Constable, Phil Chapman, and Senior Constable, Kirsten Claringbold.
FCLO are selected based on their knowledge and passion in the area of farm crime as well as their personal connection to farming, so that members of the farming community know they have a police member who really understands their issues.
SenConst Coates said machinery and diesel thefts were common, but there were also issues with trespassers and illegal shooters.
“Farms are large areas, usually without cameras and locks only keep the more honest people out, it’s also often difficult to do regular stock counts,” he said.
“We can’t stress enough the importance of timely reporting when it comes to investigating farm crime, stolen livestock could be halfway across the country within days of being stolen, which makes it extremely difficult for police to investigate if there is a delay in reporting the incident.
“If we know the timeline we can check numberplate scanning cameras, there will be times we can catch them – but not if it’s not reported.”
He said firearms were also being stolen, particularly when keys were stored nearby or easily accessible to the safe; when the firearms were stored on unoccupied properties; and when tools were stored next to a firearm safe and the victim’s own tools are used to gain access to steal the firearms.
“We’ll be focussing on firearms being stored safely so we can reduce the risk of them being stolen and used in other crimes,” he said.
“It won’t be hitting people with a stick approach, more about providing advice, such as having firearms stored at occupied residences to reduce that risk.”
SenConst Coates completed his schooling in Bairnsdale and after majoring in accounting at Charles Sturt University in New South Wales, began his career as an accountant back in Bairnsdale.
He was soon poached to work for the National Australia Bank in business and agribusiness, before working for Rabobank in agribusiness, covering an area from Cann River to Lardner Park.
Looking for a better work-life balance, he opted to train as a policeman, graduating in December, 2018.
His other world is farming, which he believes would be too much hard work if he didn’t have a passion for it, juggling a young family, his shiftwork as a policeman and his interest in campdrafting with his stockhorses.
“As a policeman you’re dealing with some of the more difficult parts of society, being able to come up here to Buchan gives a really good balance,” he said.
CRIMES STATISTICS AGENCY VICTORIA STATISTICS
12 Months to March 2025
– Property damage increased in East Gippsland LGA from 11 to 19 offences recorded. Increase attributed to criminal damage with 10 recorded in 2024 to 18 in 2025
– Property damage statewide (not just on farm properties) also increased since the previous year. This trend appears to align with what is seen broadly.
– Burglaries/break and enter offences increased from six in 2024 to 10 in 2025. Residential non-aggravated burgs increased from two in 2024 to six in 2025
– Same as above, burglaries/break and enter offences statewide (not just on farm properties) has also increased since the previous year.
– Theft offences increased from 32 in 2024 to 40 in 2025. Motor vehicle theft was three in 2024 and now five in 2025. Stealing from a motor vehicle increased by one offence from the year previous and theft ‘other’ had 26 offences in 2024 to 31 offences in 2025.
