Crisis takes bite out of UK police

LONDON:  One force has halved its dog squad and at least three others are poised to make cuts.

Greater Manchester Police cut its dog section from 120 to 60, while a merger between Bedfordshire Police and neighbouring Hertfordshire Constabulary will see nine dogs leave the force.

Northumbria Police has also put its dog numbers under review, with a third of its 45-strong canine unit being let go, according to Police Review.

Dogs, which cost around £9,000 each, per year to keep, have been a staple of British policing since their introduction to North Yorkshire police in 1923. But many face an unsafe future as forces tighten their budgets amid the economic downturn.

Christopher Harvey, of the Cambridge Institute of Dog Behaviour and Training, said: "Forces do seem to be cutting back. The overall view is that dog numbers are reducing."

And a serving dog handler said: "Dogs can be worth their weight in gold in public order situations.

"But there are forces around the country that are looking at streamlining their dog sections. It is just a financial thing; forces are cutting back for financial reasons because we are not cheap sections to run and we are old fashioned because we rely on police animals.

"If an all-singing, all-dancing helicopter comes along they will just throw money
at it. But dogs are so multi-skilled - they cannot be easily replaced.

"A Taser will never be able to track a criminal, there is a lack of understanding about the value of police dogs. The bean counters are looking at how much it costs, rather than the value."