North Yorkshire Police operation to protect birds of prey to be rolled out across the country

North Yorkshire has the highest levels of attacks on birds of prey in the country Credit: ITV News

A North Yorkshire Police initiative to protect birds of prey is to be rolled out across the country.

North Yorkshire currently has the highest levels of attacks on birds of prey in the country.

Operation Owl was started in February 2018 and is jointly led by North Yorkshire Police, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Animals (RSPCA).

The North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks are also involved in the protection work.

Operation Owl aims to raise awareness of raptor, or bird of prey, persecution. It encourages the public to be vigilant in spotting the signs of criminal activity aimed at the birds and boosts police patrols in well-known hotspots.

Inspector Kevin Kelly, North Yorkshire Police's operational lead for wildlife crime, said: "Today is a proud milestone for North Yorkshire Police as Operation Owl goes national.

"I'm amazed by the commitment and enthusiasm of our staff really driving what's important to our public and making a measurable difference.