THERE'S been a spike in firearms thefts from rural properties in Gippsland, an area traditionally of less concern to police than western Victoria.
Eastern Region Operational Support Division Acting Superintendent Jason Kelly said police were working hard to retrieve the weapons.
"We are getting that crime prevention message out there – store guns in a safe, lockable cabinet," Superintendent Kelly said.
"The guns have been secured but taken from rural properties using equipment, either left around or the thieves brought their own, to jemmy open safes."
A Senate inquiry into illegal firearms, earlier this year, was told only three per cent of the 500 guns stolen in Victoria in a 12-month period had been recovered.
Western Region Operational Support Division Superintendent Craig Gillard (pictured) said about 80pc of the 500 guns stolen in Victoria last year had been taken from the west of the State.
Superintendent Kelly said property owners should ensure sheds were locked, keys were stored safely and machinery used to get into safes, such as angle grinders, were not left lying around.
Bairnsdale Inspector Tracie McDonald said investigations into a series of firearm burglaries, between December 2013 and July 2014 in the Fernbank, Sale, Stratford, Heyfield, Walpa and Glenaladale areas, were continuing.
The stolen firearms have included air rifles, small calibre rifles to large calibre rifles and shot guns.
"It's not huge numbers, but it is a concern to us, whenever firearms are stolen," Insp McDonald said.
Many of the thefts were from properties where the owners were complying with firearms regulations, she said.
"They are complying with the conditions of the licence, but we are asking those who are complying with the bare minimum regulations on firearms storage to think more broadly about crime prevention."
The head of the East Gippsland Criminal Investigation Unit Sergeant Margaret Schultz confirmed some of the thefts had been from locked safes, which indicated owners were complying with regulations.
"It's not been non compliance with the regulations," Sgt Shultz said.
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) commended the police on their work to combat farm crime and gun theft.
"In Victoria, the current partnership between Victoria Police, the VFF and other industry players remains focused on farm and rural crime and delivering the best possible outcomes through this partnership approach to crime prevention and investigation," VFF livestock commodity manager Alina Tooley said.
"The VFF attended the recent Agricultural Liaison Officer conference and it was evident that Victoria Police are doing a lot to combat farm and rural crime."
The VFF encouraged producers to report suspicious activity in their area to either local police or Crime Stoppers.
