A NORTH YORKSHIRE police officer dedicated to the fight against rural crime has been nominated for a national award.

PC Kevin Kelly, rural crime officer for the Selby District, has been put forward for the World Wildlife Fund wildlife enforcer of the year award by his inspector and fellow rural officers.

The award recognises the outstanding work by individual wildlife crime officers throughout the UK.

PC Kelly’s nomination follows his tireless efforts in setting up the hugely successful poaching crackdown codenamed Operation Jumbo.

PC Kelly has also been an influential figure in encouraging fellow officers to join the campaign and has organised in-depth training days to provide his colleagues with the necessary skills to combat poaching and related criminality.

Inspector Richard Abbott, of Selby Rural Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “Kevin has grown in his knowledge and enthusiasm for his role.

“He is truly inspirational with his enthusiasm bubbling over and becoming infectious. He has been the clear lead in Operation Jumbo, an operation that has now become the example to communities of best practice when dealing with rural crime.

“His networking with other agencies has brought additional resources to the district of Selby in times when money is tight.

“I feel that Kevin is the embodiment of what a wildlife officer should be. Let his example lead the way to others.”