A suspicious incident at Wisbech St Mary was turned into an ideal opportunity to carry out training for one of the police force’s trusty four legged friends.

Cambs Times: Wisbech St Mary suspicious incidentWisbech St Mary suspicious incident (Image: Archant)

German Shepherd Mitch from the Bedford, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Dog Unit was taken to reports of anti-social behaviour in Beechings Close at about 6.45pm on Wednesday (July 6).

On arrival officers were unable to find anyone in the area, but said they located an unsecure building which they then made secure - but the incident was turned into a winner when they used it as a chance to give Mitch some extra training, according to the police Twitter page, Fencops.

With 34 dog handlers and more than 40 dogs, the tri-force unit respond to a range of incidents from searching for a missing person to tracking down burglars.

A spokesman said: “The BCH dog unit plays a vital role in the fight against crime with support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, patrolling with their dogs across the three counties.

Cambs Times: Beds, Cambs and Herts police dogs help with a suspicious incident in Wisbech St MaryBeds, Cambs and Herts police dogs help with a suspicious incident in Wisbech St Mary (Image: Archant)

“Each officer handles a German Shepherd or similar breed which is trained to track offenders or a missing person following the trail left by a person on the ground.

“They search for people in buildings and open areas, search for property, chase and detain offenders and protect their handler and other officers in dangerous situations.

“Some handlers also have a specialist dog trained to detect drugs, cash, firearms or explosives, which they do through their highly developed sense of smell.”

Passive drugs dogs have also recently been introduced to the Unit. These specialists are trained to indicate the presence of drugs carried by people in public areas.

Cambs Times: Beds, Cambs and Herts police dogs help with a suspicious incident in Wisbech St MaryBeds, Cambs and Herts police dogs help with a suspicious incident in Wisbech St Mary (Image: Archant)

The drug and explosives dogs are usually proven hard-working breeds like Springer Spaniels, Labradors and Border Collies.

The unit currently has seventeen drug detection dogs and explosive detection dogs and some of the German Shepherds are trained to take on further specialist work.

They provide firearms support dogs trained to work with their handler in close conjunction with firearms officers at incidents where offenders are potentially armed.

The unit can also provide teams to enter premises where there is a dangerous dog risk.

Cambs Times: Beds, Cambs and Herts police dogs help with a suspicious incident in Wisbech St MaryBeds, Cambs and Herts police dogs help with a suspicious incident in Wisbech St Mary (Image: Archant)

Dogs are recruited from a number of sources, but gift dogs from the public provide the majority of the team.

Cambs Times: Beds, Cambs and Herts police dogs help with a suspicious incident in Wisbech St MaryBeds, Cambs and Herts police dogs help with a suspicious incident in Wisbech St Mary (Image: Archant)