Farm crime victimisation and punitive attitudes: The cases of Australia and the United States

Farm crime is insidious and impactful, socially and economically on individuals and rural communities more broadly. This chapter considers the intersection of on-farm victimisation with worry about crime and punitiveness of attitudes in two states in Australia (Victoria and New South Wales) and two states in the United States (Nebraska and Texas). It is generally an accepted truism that rural people are more punitive in their attitudes to crime and justice than those residing in urbanised settings. After outlining the methodological approach adopted in each of the four jurisdictions, the chapter will present data on victimisation, worry about theft and punitiveness. Offered, too, is a discussion of key issues which provide insight into the potential for agricultural security to be utilised as a means of reducing victimisation, alleviating anxiety, tempering the call for punitive measures and encouraging crime reporting and collaboration between the police and farmers.