Rushden police use knife detection dog in crime crackdown
Public spaces in Rushden were searched by police officers and a knife detection dog in crime crackdown, with officers recovering two folding knives and a screwdriver.
Northants Police is the first police force in the country to trial the sniffer dog, trained to detect a specific scent left on metal objects after contact with human skin – there are just three specialist dogs in the UK.
Three weapons were found during the operation, funded by Rushden Town Council, after specialist dog Gunner was deployed to search public spaces where weapons may be hidden or discarded.
Led by officers from the East Northamptonshire Neighbourhood Policing Team, it is part of ongoing work to tackle knife crime and improve community safety.
Neighbourhood policing team sergeant, Leigh Françoise Goodwin, said: “This deployment was about proactively addressing concerns around weapons and making our public spaces safer for everyone to utilise.
“We know residents are concerned about knife crime and the impact it can have on local communities. By using innovative tactics, it can help to identify and remove dangerous weapons before they are used and reassuring the public that we are actively tackling the issues that matter most to them.
“This is a capability we would like to use more across Northamptonshire, as every weapon removed from our streets helps make our communities safer.
“We are incredibly grateful to Rushden Town Council for funding this deployment and supporting our efforts to keep local people safe.”