A police dog got his first arrest after finding a fugitive hiding in a bush despite being less than two weeks into the job.
Police dog Alfie helped arrest a suspect wanted in connection with an assault in Penshaw, Sunderland, on Wednesday morning.
The 15-month-old Belgian Malinois had only been qualified for 10 days when he was deployed to support response officers at the scene.
Officers had responded to a report that a man had been causing trouble inside an address and had gone on to damage a number of parked vehicles.
Alfie and his handler PC Stephen Henry were deployed to assist the search and it didn’t take long to find the K9.
He tracked into a wooded area and his nose led him straight to a bush – where the suspect was found to be hiding.
The 20-year-old suspect tried to jump a nearby fence to escape the clutches of the police dog but was arrested by officers.
Chief Inspector Mick Hall, of Northumbria Police, said: “The contribution of our Dog Section cannot be overstated and Alfie is a very welcome addition to the team.
“He and a number of his siblings only qualified 10 days ago but they are already showing their value and if it was not for Alfie we would have not made such a quick arrest.
“I know that PC Henry will make sure Alfie is well rewarded but as his handler he is crucial to achieving results like this.
“They are a fantastic team and I know that this arrest will be the first of what we hope to be a long and successful career as a K9 at Northumbria Police.”
The 20-year-old suspect was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and has since been released under investigation.
