We are incredibly proud of Boris the Staffordshire bull terrier! He has become the latest sniffer dog for the Avon and Somerset Police.

Our Supervisor Sue Dicks said: “I just knew the minute I saw Boris that he was going to stand out from the crowd. PC Lee Webb, was in the centre the day Boris arrived and I jokingly pointed out that we may have just taken on his next search dog - I couldn’t have been more spot on.

I noticed quite quickly that he had a real love for tennis balls, he absolutely lives for them. Most dogs get bored after a while, but Boris was really focused - he found the ball when I hid it, even in some rather difficult places like up trees"

PC Webb, who has been training Boris to join Avon and Somerset Police to sniff out drugs, firearms and currency, was the first handler in the country to train a Staffie-cross as a drugs dog, and this is the twelfth he has taken on from West Hatch.

He said: “He was first spotted about three months ago and started training properly five weeks ago, but as of this week he will become a fully licensed police sniffer dog.

"Good police dogs need to have an above average ability to retrieve, great stamina, good health and an even temperament.

"This is why Staffies work so well as they have a dogged determination and a drive to retrieve but are also very loyal and eager to please.

"Boris is a great dog who has worked really hard and I know he will have a great career ahead of him."

Boris is the fifth rescue Staffie from West Hatch to join the force!