Police operation in Yorkshire targets poachers

Police have been targetting poachers in Yorkshire. Credit North Yorkshire Police

Operation Jumbo a big success
November 2009. A police operation focusing on combating poaching and rural crime is proving to be a big success in the Selby area of Yorkshire. Driven by the local police working with local farmers and residents, the operation targeted poachers and travelling criminals who use the main arterial routes into the county.

The ongoing operation, which has been running since Monday 23 November, has produced some impressive results so far, including:

• 138 vehicles stopped
• 47 people searched
• Five vehicles seized
• 13 arrests
• Seven reports for summons for poaching and other related offences.

PC Kevin Kelly, Wildlife Crime Officer for the Selby District, said: "Operation Jumbo is the first step for North Yorkshire Police in setting the benchmark on how to deal with wildlife and rural crime. As the biggest rural county in the country we are proud to serve one of the largest farming communities. We are committed to policing communities of all types and this operation is certainly delivering that promise.

"We will not tolerate travelling criminals coming into our area and we will continue to clamp down on any illegal activities related to rural crime and poaching."

All Farm Watch members now have access to the Operation Jumbo hotline, which allows them to communicate directly with the Operation Jumbo team.