A Police Scotland dog and his handler have been awarded a prestigious prize for bravely chasing two hit and run suspects for more than two miles.
PC Raymond Martin was driving along the M8 towards Edinburgh with Police Dog Storm in May last year when he came across a car on its roof, straddling the hard shoulder and the inside lane.
After making enquiries with witnesses at the scene, the cop quickly discovered that two men had fled the scene and ran off towards woodland.
He deployed PD Storm who was able to pick up their scent and track them through several fields, a river and an electric fence.
PC Martin was electrocuted during the chase, but thankfully wasn’t badly injured and he was able to continue the search.
Storm tracked the two suspects to 2.2miles away where he found the suspects hidden underneath a riverbank and partly submerged by water.
The Police Dog then helped detaining them until colleagues from Police Scotland arrived.
Both men were arrested and charged with a variety of offences.
Both PD Storm and PC Martin have now been awarded BTP’s prestigious 'Bryan Trophy' in recognition of their invaluable contribution at the scene of the hit and run.
It’s now time for PD Storm to put his paws up and retire following seven years of service in Scotland.
Chief Inspector Pete Kooper said: "Huge congratulations are in order for PC Martin and PD Storm who demonstrated exemplary perseverance and determination in tracking two suspects who had tried their best to flee the scene of a crime.
"It’s a fitting end to an illustrious career in BTP for PD Storm who has spent seven years protecting the railway network in Scotland. We’d all like to wish him a very happy and much deserved retirement."
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