‘The best wildlife crime team in the country’: Rural Task Force wins two national policing awards

‘ELATED’: Sergeant Jenna Jones

By Simon Bristow

Two wildlife crime-fighting projects run by Humberside Police have won national awards.

The force’s Rural Task Force won National Wildlife Crime Team of the Year 2022, and for the second year running was also named Partner Operation of the Year for Operation Seabird, which protects seabirds and marine mammals.

The awards were made in the 33rd Wildlife and Rural Crime Conference in Staffordshire.

Rural Task Force Sergeant Jenna Jones, who is now leaving the unit to become a Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant at Pocklington Police Station, said: “For our small but dedicated Rural Task Force to win the National Wildlife Crime Team of the Year 2022, and for the 2nd year running Operation Seabird is Partner Operation of the Year, it is just fantastic.

“To say we are elated is an understatement. This award recognises that we are the best wildlife team in the country and are the national leads for prevention and education around disturbance of seabird and marine wildlife.

“I could not be prouder to have led such an amazingly dedicated team of officers and volunteers who will put the wellbeing of our rural communities and wildlife at the forefront of their work.

“I am leaving the Rural Task Force in the safe hands of Police Sergeant Kevin Jones, an existing member of the team, as I move into the Neighbourhood Sergeant’s role at Pocklington Police Station.”

The force said: “We congratulate the whole of the Rural Task Force and of course wish Jenna the very best wishes with her new role in Pocklington. We are sure she will be welcomed there with open arms.”