Honey the rescue dog becomes a fully-fledged crimefighter

The vital unit provides general purpose, firearms support and specialist search dogs.

These furry friends support officers' ranging policing activities – from tackling serious and organised crime to helping bring vulnerable people back to a place of safety.

Its latest recruit is PD Honey, who after initially being a rescue dog, has now become a fully-fledged police dog.

The opportunity of a lifetime for Honey came about when PC Stephanie Allinson was on the lookout for a new dog to train up as a drugs, cash and firearms detection dog as PD Otis, her yellow labrador, was nearing a well-deserved retirement.

Last spring, PC Allinson put the feelers out to the dogs’ home for a potential would-be crime fighting canine and a couple of months later, a six-month-old yellow labrador who had come in as an unwanted pet was suggested to her.

She went along to assess her and was blown away by the confident puppy who was happy to play with a ball and knew how to be respectful.

She asked her then sergeant, now also retired, if it was okay to take on a rescue dog to train up.

The green light was given, and PC Allinson picked up Honey the labrador for an exciting new life and a lot of love.

Congratulating Honey on her achievement, the Cheshire and North Wales Police Dog Unit team wrote; "Congratulations to rescue dog Honey who has gone from underdog to super dog after becoming an official furry crime fighter!

"Otis is now enjoying every minute lazing on the sofa while Honey picks up where he left off keeping residents in Cheshire and North Wales safe.

PD Honey and her handler PC Stephanie Allinson. (Image: Cheshire and North Wales Police Dogs Unit.) PC Allinson added: “I think it’s important that people know there are so many of these little gems with so much potential to be fantastic pets, or like Honey, a working dog, desperately waiting for a loving home.

"I’ve turned an unwanted rescue dog into a police dog - and that’s incredible. These dogs have so much potential - to think they could be overlooked is heart-breaking.”

Anna Stansfield, Senior Manager, Cheshire Dogs’ Home: “Honey’s story shines a light on the real potential that so many of our rescue dogs have, whether that’s as wonderful companions or, in Honey’s case, as working dogs on the front line serving the wider community. We’re so proud of Honey and we all wish her the very best in her career fighting crime.”