South Yorkshire Police dogs and handlers win top awards

They came first and second at the British Police and Services Canine Association's service dog trials in Birmingham.

PC Adrian Noble and Evo came first and PC Steve Gill and Rocky were runners-up in the ‘Service Dog of the Year’ category.

PC Gill and Rocky also won the 'criminal work' category, while PC Noble and Evo came third in the property search category.

They work for the Specialist Operation Unit shared by South Yorkshire Police and Humberside Police.

Superintendent Caroline Rollitt said: “These trials incorporated representatives not just from the police service, but from the prisons, security teams and the armed forces.

"To take first and second place with two of our dogs and handlers is an incredible achievement and I am extremely proud.”

The BPSCA is made up of serving and ex-serving officers from the United Kingdom’s uniformed services who are, or have been, the handlers and trainers of service dogs.

Harry Morton, dog training manager, said: “I am delighted with our success at the trials.

"There were exceptional performances by all the handlers and their dogs on the day, but both PC Gill and PC Noble did an outstanding job with their four legged counterparts and they are a credit to both forces.”