December is a very busy month - and it’s certainly no different for Merseyside Police either, who have been out stopping and preventing crime throughout the month.
And their team of dogs have been out on the beat helping catch criminals ahead of Christmas - including two who were threatening to harm members of the public.
From taking drunk drivers off the road and recovering stolen goods, to locating weapons and preventing harm, it’s been a busy month for the 40-strong dogs team.
The clever canines are tasked with challenges such as sniffing out sneaky offenders hiding under cars, or locating vital evidence. Sometimes, simply their presence at a scene can prevent a crime from being committed, with suspects surrendering to their bark.
Merseyside Police celebrate their canine colleagues on their own Twitter account, posting daily updates about what their hounds have gotten up to on shift.
Here's 11 times Merseyside Police Dogs helped keep Liverpool’s streets safer this December:
PD Yoko
A drunk driver crashed into several vehicles before hitting a roundabout in the Wirral.
He attempted to make off, but PD Yoko was able to track the offender from the vehicle to his location where he was arrested.
A Merseyside Police spokesperson said: “A drink driver failed to stop after colliding into numerous vehicles and finally crashing into a roundabout. Instead of facing the consequences he made off.
“Unlucky for him PD Yoko was on scene to assist and tracked from the vehicle to his location.”
PD Yoko
Yoko had a rather busy shift on December 3, having also found a male breaking into numerous cars in Liverpool city centre.
A Merseyside Police spokesperson said: “One male tried to make good his escape and ran into a multi storey car park. PD Yoko was on form and used her nose to locate him hiding in a stairwell!”
They added that the man was also wanted for other offences.
PD Quga
Christmas time often sees a spike in burglaries, and PD Quga was called to an incident earlier this month where three males had stolen items from several cars - but fled when they were disturbed by patrols.
One was arrested at the scene while the other two made off, but it wasn’t long before PD Quga caught up with them in a nearby garden - still in possession of the stolen goods.
PD Zak
After a car was abandoned in Sefton, PD Zak was asked to track scent from the car, and discovered two men hiding.
It transpired that the vehicle had recently been stolen from Manchester in a burglary, and both men were arrested.
PD Kane
PD Kane was called out to reports of several males fighting who were threatening to ‘kill members of the public’.
A Merseyside Police spokesperson said: “Just as they were about to run away PD Kane arrived at the scene and promptly took control of the situation. Three arrested for affray. Well done Kane.”
PD Yoko
Four people were arrested after Merseyside’s road policing unit pursued a stolen vehicle which ‘eventually came to a stop’.
A Merseyside Police spokesperson said: “The four males in the vehicle began behaving aggressively until PD Yoko stepped up and told them who was in charge. Four arrested for numerous offences. Clever girl Yoko.”
PD Annie
Overnight on December 11, a man violently assaulted his ex-partner, made off from the address and evaded patrols before returning some time later.
PD Annie was first on scene and detained the offender until other officers arrived and arrested him.
PD Quga
It was a busy shift for PD Quga when she was called to an incident where five men had broken into an off-licence.
As she arrived, one offender fled the scene, and the brave dog was almost hit with the getaway car as he escaped.
A Merseyside Police spokesperson said: “Not one to give up, Quga returned to the shop as two terrified burglars were located inside.”
PD Yaeger
An aggressive man attempted to assault officers following a domestic incident, and PD Yaeger was brought in after he made off from the scene.
He was able to put a stop to the gent’s behaviour and bring him into custody, with police reporting ‘all officers safe and well’.
DP Mizz
For the second time in a month, someone was threatening to injure members of the public, but PD Mizz was able to make sure that didn’t happen.
A Merseyside Police spokesperson said: “Yesterday (December 16) a male was having a violent mental health episode and threatening to stab members of the public.
“PD Mizz was swiftly on scene and safely detained the male, protecting the public and other officers and ensuring that the male can get the help he needs.”
PD Rita
PD Rita recently joined Syndicate 1 and has already got off to a fantastic start.
After a male had been seen in possession of a meat cleaver, patrols arrested him but the weapon was nowhere to be seen. Rita attended and was able to locate the potential weapon and keep everyone safe, too.
