Church Stretton and Craven Arms

Inspector Damien Kelly is a senior police officer, currently leading the South Shropshire Neighbourhood Policing Teams. In this role, he oversees the strategic coordination of policing priorities across seven local areas, working closely with communities to build trust, enhance public safety, and improve confidence in local policing.

Of particular note, in 2020 Inspector Kelly introduced Operation Whitebeam—South Shropshire’s targeted response to rural acquisitive crime. The initiative delivers a comprehensive strategy to prevent offences, prepare potential victims, pursue offenders, and bring them to justice. It has become a cornerstone of the areas approach to tackling rural crime, combining intelligence-led policing with community resilience.

Before joining the police, Inspector Kelly served in the Royal Air Force from 2004 to 2008, supporting airborne forces with the maintenance of parachute equipment systems during international training deployments in Cyprus, Belize, the USA, Oman, and beyond. His commitment to service continued through a distinguished career in the RAF Air Cadets (RAFAC), where from 2008 to 2021 he held senior roles including Squadron Commander, Wing Shooting Officer, and Regional Shooting & Armaments Compliance Officer. In this capacity, he was responsible for overseeing shooting standards and compliance across Wales and the West of England, supporting hundreds of qualified staff across six wing areas.

Inspector Kelly brings a wealth of operational experience, a deep commitment to public service, and a proven track record of leadership in both military and civilian sectors. His approach is rooted in collaboration, integrity, and a drive to make a meaningful difference in the communities he serves.