Speaking on rural crime Supt Cribb told delegates gathered at the State Conference in Cowra that between January 2010 and December 2014 close to 85,000 sheep were reported stolen and over 6500 head of cattle.

"Conservative market prices, suggests this has cost rural industries nearly $13 million," Supt Cribb said.

"In the same period nearly 517,600 litres of diesel was stolen equating to $801,000.

"Bringing that back to stats for today, for break and enter and steal in January this year there were 24 and 42 in February."

Supt Cribb said police received 88 reports of rural theft in January and 79 in February this year.

"If 100 head of cattle were stolen that is just one incident of theft," Supt Cribb said.

Delegates heard more than 3000 litres of diesel was stolen each month.

"At conservative rates that's more than $8000 worth of diesel that someone else shouldn't have to pay for.

Over January and February $27,863 worth cattle were stolen and $360,000 worth of sheep.

Accepting some landowners are reluctant to accept change and are reluctant or unable to engage in online reporting or social media Supt Cribb stressed to those present "social media is the future whether we like it or not, unfortunately that is where we are headed".

He also spoke about the necessity of reporting crime and crime prevention.

"Id rather talk about prevention than take a report," he said.

"Policing works best as a collaborative effort between the people who live there and the police who serve there.

"I don't have the resources to put police on every street or in every town, I need people to report the crimes, no matter how serious.

"If you believe it is a crime you need to report it.

"If I can encourage you to do one thing, encourage your neighbour to report crime," he said.

Superintendent Cribb stepped in to speak at the conference after NSW Deputy Police Commissioner Catherine Burn became unavailable.