We are excited to introduce you to Duke and Dexter, our digital detection dogs. New to the force and first in the region, the innovative partnership with our new four-legged friends will see them helping officers using their cyber-scent and tech-savvy tails to catch criminals!

Duke and Dexter, two German Shorthaired Pointers, are currently taking part in a six-week training programme. Once complete, they will play a significant role in policing, and keeping our communities safe, as we continue to target criminals who exploit technology to commit offences in an increasingly digital world.

The Police Online Investigation Team (POLIT) who carry out investigations into the sharing of child sexual exploitation material online, have joined forces with the Dog Section to enhance our fight against cyber-enabled crime.

During a dedicated training day last week, the partnership was showcased when POLIT paid a visit to see how the ‘digi-dogs’ were getting on. The team watched Duke and Dexter’s exceptional skills in detecting hidden items, which will soon be paired to digital devices from USB drives to mobile phones, that are often pieces of critical evidence in criminal investigations.

POLIT Detective Inspector Andy Postill said: “The addition of digital detection dogs strengthens our ability to bring those who engage in sickening child sexual offences to justice.

“They provide invaluable support in locating evidence alongside our dedicated team of specialist trained officers. Particularly when suspects attempt to conceal items such as SIM cards and USB drives.

“We take all reports of child sexual offences very seriously and this is a powerful step in our fight against online child exploitation.”

PC Dog Handler Steve Matthews said: “It’s important to build strong working relationships with the teams we collaborate with and by doing so, we provide better service to them and in turn, our communities.

“Our dogs are trained to work in high-pressure environments, whether that’s searching for controlled substances, viable firearms, cash, explosives, or very soon, detecting digital evidence.

“Duke and Dexter will soon be ready to assist POLIT and other units across the force, providing crucial support in tackling crimes that leave digital trails.

“These two new recruits will bring a unique skill set to the team, and it is amazing to see the difference they can make. I’m proud to be a part of this innovative approach to modern policing.”