Six new rural crime investigators will soon be deployed across the state to help drought-stricken farmers targeted by crooks, NSW Police Minister David Elliot announced on Thursday.
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"We are going to put trained investigators, trained detectives in places they've never been before," Assistant NSW Police Commissioner Geoff McKechnie said.
"Statistically we are seeing a steadying in the number of cattle that are being stolen, but we're seeing increases around goats, smaller animals and those things that these people who find themselves on peoples properties are stealing," he said.
Fuel, chainsaws and quad bikes are also proving popular with thieves, Assistant Commissioner McKechnie said.
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Illegal hunting and trespassing are also areas of concern for police and rural crime investigators will look to conduct even more checks on stock trucks moving throughout NSW, he said.
Assistant Commissioner McKechnie and the Minister were joined by state Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders and Dubbo Region mayor Ben Shields at the Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets where the announcement was made.
"Crime across NSW generally is on the decline," Mr Elliot said.
