Operation High Ground would see front-line police provided with specific rural crime training and would target rural crime suspects, according to Acting Superintendent Andrew Hurst of Darling River Local Area Command.

He said the operation, which was designed to bring the rural community together, would also see more proactive patrols of remote areas.

Acting Superintendent Hurst said feedback from the rural community suggested there was a need for a strategic plan to address rural crime issues across the region.

“A crucial element of this operation is to engage our rural stakeholders situated across our vast command,” he said.

“Recent surveys conducted within Darling River Local Area Command revealed members of our community would support and benefit from direct email contact with police to exchange information concerning rural crime issues in their area.

“We are asking the rural community to send an email to highground@police.nsw.gov.au and provide their contact details so we can exchange information regarding rural crime issues.’’

“We will create distribution groups for each local government area so the engagement is specific to rural crime in their area.”

Acting Superintendent Hurst said the email address was not designed to be used to report crime.

“However, local sector police will be involved in engaging with their respective sectors,” he said.