A SENIOR Victorian police officer has called for tighter controls on firearms storage, following a sharp spike in gun theft from rural properties.
Livestock and Farm Crime superintendent Craig Gillard said guns were been stolen at the rate of one a day throughout Victoria.
He said 150 firearms had been taken in 60 burglaries in western Victoria so far this year, with some being "stolen to order."
The figure was probably the same for the east of the State, he said.
"We have got evidence some of these firearms are being stolen to order for money and or drugs; in essence they have become a commodity," Mr Gillard said.
While most farmers and graziers stored guns safely and legally, Mr Gillard said his greatest concern was properties where there were no permanent residents.
"I think the community needs to have a frank discussion about whether it is good enough to leave firearms on premises which are not permanently inhabited," he said. "And my view is, it's probably not."
It was time for a broader discussion on firearms storage and to reconsider the community stance on the issue, he said.
"It might be the smarter move to have them stored with a licenced firearms dealer while you are away – just as you do with your cat or your dog, you put them in a cattery or a kennels," he said.
While some might disagree, he said the suggestion was being discussed at the highest levels by police and with government.
"We are active in putting out message to people in rural areas, going the extra length to make sure firearms are stored securely – the risk is incredible," Mr Gillard said.
Victorian Farmers Federation Livestock President Ian Feldtmann said producers were encouraged to remain vigilant in ensuring firearms were stored in accordance with legal obligations.
"The VFF strongly support the requirement of having firearms in an appropriate, lockable safe, as required by the Firearms Act," Mr Feldtmann said.
Mr Gillard said significant seizures of guns had occurred in the last 12 months.
Members of the Armed Crime Task Force, along with detectives from Geelong, carried out a 12-week operation which recovered 15 firearms.
The results of Operation Griffin showed some of the weapons were linked to organised crime, Mr Gillard said.
Other areas of increased farm crime included animal activism, the theft of diesel and machinery.
"Stock theft has been quite stagnant, it tends to run in fits and starts," Mr Gillard said.