Operation Jumbo

Operation Jumbo is a proactive policing campaign which focuses on reducing rural crime and building customer confidence within our rural communities. The operation has been hailed as the most successful within the Selby district.

The operation began in November 2009 when two local Safer Neighbourhoods officers for the Selby rural area,  and PCSO Laura Simpson highlighted a problem with poaching and hare coursing. After a week of operational action in Hillam and Monk Fryston it was concluded that many areas of our rural district suffered the same problems and incidents which were not being reported. It was also established that a large number of the people committing these poaching and coursing offences were linked to more serious crimes.

PC Kelly and PCSO Simpson contacted every person who had reported an incident or had been affected by this type of incident and invited them to a community meeting in Tadcaster. The meeting which was chaired by Chief Inspector Nick Warnes and  was extremely successful with over 150 people attending. This was the beginning of the Selby District Rural Watch.

Residents at the meeting offered their time and support to keep a vigilant watch over their land and property and to report any suspicious activity to the police. As a result of the meeting, Operation Jumbo was introduced in the Selby district. This consisted of two proactive stages with funding from  which allowing the operation to utilise members of the Roads Policing Group (RPG) and the Firearms Support Unit (FSU), along with local officers and the area Rural Crime Specialist Officer.

The Rural Watch group now has almost 300 members who receive regular text messages and emails updating them on any suspicious activity and current incidents, using the Ring Master messaging service. When an incident has been reported a message will be sent out, giving the police almost 300 pairs of eyes and ears.

The second phase of the 16-day operation was conducted between 11 - 19 February 2010 adding to the initial success of the first phase of the operation. Throughout the two phases, the Operation Jumbo team have made 25 arrests, reported nine people for summons and seized 12 vehicles. Officers also conducted 114 PACE searches, stop checked 331 vehicles and seized 12 dogs.

In addition, a number of valuable police intelligence reports and fixed penalty notices were issued for motoring offences. Overall crime is down in the area with a 32% reduction in vehicle related crime and a 34% reduction burglary offences. Poaching and related crime has also decreased significantly.

As of April 2010, the most recent Jumbo-related arrests include:

  • four arrested for killing a deer with a dog on land in Selby. Enquiries are on going while the men are on police bail,
  • three arrested for disturbing a badger sett. Enquiries are ongoing while the men are on police bail,
  • two men arrested for hare coursing in the Burn area. They were released on bail pending further investigation,
  • two men arrested for hare coursing, and charged with the offence,
  • three arrested for hare coursing, all from the Bishop Auckland area. They have been bailed pending further investigation.

Rural Watch is continually growing and is a fantastic way to regularly consult with our communities on a daily basis. You do not have to be a farmer or landowner to join. If you would like more information, email SNTSelby@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or go to the  or  Safer Neighbourhood Team page.