Rural Crime Prevention Team for the NSW Police Force has issued a report about Operation Brushwood.

Inquiries continue following a pro-active police operation targeting rural crime in the state’s south-west.

Operation Brushwood was conducted between last Thursday (4 December 2025) and Monday (8 December 2025), in the towns of Hillston, Wallanthrey, Merriwagga, Booligal, One Tree, Hay, Roto and Oxley.

Rural Crime Investigators attached to the Rural Crime Prevention Team (RCPT) Murrumbidgee Police District, Murray River Police District and Riverina Police District conducted to target rural crime/illegal hunting-related offences, monitor livestock movements, and conduct safe storage inspections on rural properties and vehicles.

Notable results included 48 safe storage inspections, 42 national vendor declarations, four infringements issued for breaches during transport stock statement inspections, 12 hunting dog/vehicle inspections/search, and eight wool, hide and skin/property inspections.

During the course of the operation, five firearms were seized as a result of safe storage inspections during which an unregistered firearm and unsafe keeping was detected allegedly by an 73-year-old man.

A separate incident involving alleged cruelty to a horse is also being investigated.

Inquiries are continuing into stock theft.

Anyone with information about rural-related crime is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au

Information is managed on a confidential basis.

The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.