Farmers are moving valuable stock from roadside paddocks, chaining quad bikes to railings, installing cameras and patrolling their land in an effort to stop thieves who are killing livestock and stealing vehicles and fuel.

Tim MacIntosh, Bay of Plenty Federated Farmers meat and fibre chairman says some farmers in the Eastern Bay of Plenty have been hard hit with one having eight four wheel motor bikes stolen from his farm.

'In the most recent cases, the bikes were wire roped to the cowshed but thieves cut the wire and took the bikes anyway. The impact is not just from the loss of the vehicle, but also the time and expense involved in replacing it, and claiming insurance.”

Poaching and rustling of animals is also of concern. 'It's affecting how farmers graze their stock as a number are concerned that if they put stock into road side paddocks, someone will come along and help themselves.”

The anger and frustration among farmers at the actions of people stealing from them is understandable but Tim says taking the law into their own hands is not the answer.

'The police can't be everywhere and can't always come when called. Neighbourhood support groups are a great idea and I encourage people to take down number plates of any suspicious vehicles they see as that information may be invaluable if it turns out there has been some thefts in the area.”

A farmer from the Kaimai Ranges near Tauranga says the number of animals going missing in that area is significant.

'It's more than just food for the family. It's got to be almost on a commercial scale,” says the farmer who has lost animals, but doesn't want to be named.

Another farmer whose property is close to the bush has lost dozens of animals which have disappeared without a trace. There are no vehicle wheel marks and no offal left behind and he is unsure how the thieves got the animals out.

In other cases deer have been shot in paddocks and the fence cut to drag the carcasses out and sheep have been found with bullet injuries.

'The problem with sheep is you often don't know you've lost a few. It's more obvious with cattle and deer,” says the Kaimai farmer.

Farmers are disappointed at the penalties handed out to some poachers feeling they are not tough enough to act as a deterrent. 'Some of the fines are so small they'd only have to sell half a deer to pay for them.”

The other worry for farmers is the knowledge that people could be on their property carrying firearms, often at night.

The Kaimai farmer says he is concerned is that farmers might be tempted to take matters into their own hands. 'That can back fire big time on the farmers, especially if weapons are involved. He could be the one to end up in court.”

It's much better to form neighbourhood support groups to be alert for any suspicious vehicles or activity and notify police.

He also urges the public to report anything unusual they see when driving through rural areas.