Police say they inspected 17 rural properties last week under an operation to curb illegal hunting and property crime in the Nyngan and Cobar districts.

Officers under Operation Blackburn patrolled about 1500 kilometres of rural roads as part of the three-day operation.

Police said they also took part in searches, firearm compliance checks and random breath tests.

“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," said Detective Chief Inspector Cameron Whiteside, Rural Crime Prevention Team State (RCPT) Rural Crime Coordinator.

“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."

From Thursday 6 February 2025 to Saturday 8 February 2025, police said they took actions including:

• Six residence searches

• Three livestock carrier inspections

• Two Firearms Prohibition Orders (FPO) compliance searches, and

• 20 Random Breath Tests (RBT).

IMAGE: NSW Police

“We appeal for anyone with information about rural crimes such as these to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” Detective Chief Inspector Whiteside said.

The RCPT were helped by the Western Region Operations Support Group, the Bourke Proactive Crime Team and Central North Criminal Investigators.