CANINE recruits from Devon and Cornwall’s Police Dog Section have been crowned the top tracking team in the country.

Devon and Cornwall’s finest represented the Wales and South West region at the National Police Dog Trials in Stirling, Scotland, from May 22-24.

They were given overall sixth place out of the 21 teams competing and were victorious in the National Tracking Trophy competition.

Star of the show was five year-old Police Dog Lady and Bodmin-based handler PC Steve Waters, (pictured) who won the Best Long Track prize.

There were more than 1,300 police dogs from 13 forces at the event held in Kings Park, Stirling.

Devon and Cornwall Police Dog Training Manager Tony Jordan said: “The fantastic result reflects the very high standards which we aspire to and achieve here in Devon and Cornwall in the face of some very stiff national competition.

“It also reflects the success of our puppy development scheme which provides such capabale and competent dogs for us to work with.”

“This event was extremely successful and the standard of competition exceptionally high. We’re very proud of Lady and PC Waters’ achievement.”

Tony added: “Police dog units, both here in Devon and Cornwall and nationwide, make a significant contribution to keeping people safe and bring unique skills to operational policing.”

Chester of Surrey Police was crowned top dog alongside Police Constable Graham Lightfoot at the 2015 National Police Dog Trials held at Kings Park, Stirling over the holiday weekend.

In second place was Police Constable Stephen Randall of Police Scotland with Police Dog Nevis.

In third place was Police Constable Bob Foot of Metropolitan Police with Police Dog Alfie.

Competitors from 13 Police Forces across the UK and the Police Service of Northern Ireland took part in the 55th National Police Dog Trials in three days of tests at Kings Park in Stirling from May 22-24.

This was the first time Police Scotland has hosted the event since its creation in 2013.

The various phases of the trials created an opportunity to compete and share best practice in order to maintain the highest levels of service delivery.

The dogs were tested and judged in three skill sections - Trailing suspects, property recovery and running of suspects, where they chase and apprehend a suspect.