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A YOUNG police dog celebrated her first major success after helping officers track down two suspected motorbike thieves in Eastbourne.
Police Dog Ava, a one-and-a-half-year-old German Shepherd who only qualified as a fully licensed police dog in April, played a key role in locating two men following a police pursuit on Cross Levels Way.
The incident began on 3 June when an off-duty police officer spotted two suspicious motorcycles travelling along Cross Levels Way, one of which had no registration plate.
A local policing unit responded and attempted to stop the riders, but they sped away, prompting a pursuit involving multiple police units. Despite an extensive search, the suspects initially evaded capture.
The search took a turn when the National Police Air Service helicopter was deployed and tracked the riders to an area of woodland.
PD Ava was then sent in to search the area and quickly located both suspects hiding among the trees, leading to their safe arrest.
Checks later confirmed that both motorcycles had been reported stolen.
The two men, aged 19 and 20 and both from the local area, were arrested on suspicion of offences including theft of a vehicle, dangerous driving and failing to stop when required by police. They have since been released on bail while enquiries continue.
Ava’s work did not end there.
While escorting the suspects from the woodland, carrying her favourite toy, a ball attached to a rope, she also discovered two discarded crash helmets along with a hammer, screwdriver and pliers that officers believe had been hidden by the suspects.
Her handler praised the young dog’s determination following her first successful detention.
To mark the achievement, Ava received a well-earned reward after the shift ended: her first-ever box of chicken nuggets.
The force described the meal as a fitting treat for ‘one very good girl’ after an impressive first operational success.
