POLICE are warning that storing gun safes in unsecured farm workshops leaves owners open to opportunistic firearm theft.

Victoria Police’s head of practice for rural crime and livestock theft, Jamie Templeton, said tools in workshops were being used to gain access to the firearms.

“We know the vast majority of our rural community who are firearm owners are particularly vigilant and undertake security measures above the required standard of the Firearms Act,” Insp Templeton said.

Sen-Constable Alan Pignataro, of Horsham police, has been doing spot checks on 10,000 gun licence-holders in the Wimmera area and says security was an issue.

“Licence-holders in general want to do the right thing,” he said. “Firearms in good storage but in insecure farm workshops with an assortment of cutting tools available to offenders is of concern.’’