'Hidden' mobile phones discovered after police deployed 'vital' officers

Two police dogs had a busy night as they helped their handlers in the arrest of two suspects.

At 4.45pm on Thursday June 20, a police dog patrol was called to a property in Halewood to assist the Online Child Abuse Investigation Team (OCAIT).

Following the arrest of a 56-year-old man for making/possessing indecent images of children, PD Stanley carried out a search of the property and located four mobile phones which had been hidden in the premises.

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The man was further arrested for breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Earlier that day, at around 12.20am, officers were called to reports of a domestic assault at a house in Tranmere. A male was reported to have left the house.

Dog patrols attended and a search of the area was carried out. PD Ziggy and his handler assisted in detaining the suspect a short distance away.

A 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Dog section Inspector Katie Wilkinson said: “Just these two examples show the breadth and importance of the work that is carried out by our police dogs and their handlers on a daily basis to protect the people of Merseyside.

“We are very proud of the vital role our Dog Section plays in the apprehension of suspects – it is no exaggeration to say their work day in day out is vital in assisting our officers in making arrests or carrying out searches to assist investigations.

“Often it is not even required to deploy a police dog at a scene as the threat of deployment is often enough to deter an offender or encourage someone to give themselves up.”

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