Taskforce Starlight: new body aims to fight stock theft

NT Cattlemen's Association announced the new stock squad on Thursday, which will be called Taskforce Starlight.

The taskforce is a collaboration between NT Police, Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade Livestock Biosecurity and the NTCA.

NTCA acting chief executive officer Romy Carey welcomed the move, calling it a "fantastic initiative" and said pastoralists can expect swift action against stock theft.

"Over the years NT pastoralists have had to deal with a lot of stock related crime from the theft of an animal or two, to calculated large-scale pilfering operations," Mrs Carey said.

"All theft has serious impacts on pastoralists, the NTCA is excited that Taskforce Starlight has been established in a bid to improve reporting procedures and the investigation process into reports of alleged stock theft."

Calls for a stock squad grew earlier this year after livestock was shot dead by 'reckless hunters' on the Arnhem Highway.

Taskforce Starlight will have team members based in Katherine, Darwin, Adelaide River, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek.

As part of the Taskforce, NT Police will be appointed under the Livestock Act to enable further powers for investigation and a new training program between police and DITT Livestock Inspectors is being set up.

Police minister and Agribusiness minister Nicole Manison said pastoralists need more support to protect their livestock.

"The cattle industry is big part of our economy and we will continue to do everything we can to support it," she said.

"It's great to have government, industry and NT Police collaborating and ensuring we are doing everything we can to prevent and solve stock related crimes in the Territory".

Deputy NT Police Commissioner Murray Smalpage said the taskforce had the support "from the highest levels of police".

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