Police officer wins national wildlife award

A NORTH Yorkshire Police officer has won a national award for his outstanding work in tackling wildlife crime.

Sgt Kevin Kelly set up a new unit of 17 officers dedicated to the issue and recently oversaw ‘Operation Jumbo’, an anti-wildlife crime operation that saw more than 40 arrests in three weeks for coursing, badger digging, animal cruelty, burglary and vehicle theft across North Yorkshire.

He was awarded the WWFsponsored Wildlife Law Enforcer of the Year Award at the National Wildlife Crime Enforcer’s Conference last weekend.

WWF wildlife technical advisor Niki Rust said: “His passion and determination to improve the effectiveness of Wildlife Crime Units in North Yorkshire will ensure the success of the police and protection of wildlife for years to come.”