THE latest recruits to the police firearms division were given a warm welcome on Thursday after gaining their qualifications.

Seven Tri-Force general purpose dogs who are based in Avon and Somerset and Wiltshire, now have the ability to work alongside armed response officers should they be required.

PDs Axel, Elmo, Quinn, Monty, Breaker, Aden and Pan went to Devizes yesterday with their handlers for a special ceremony.

Their handlers are PCs Dave Beck, Andrew Jerreat, Steve Hopwood, Justin Andrews, Darren Willis, Nick Dalrymple and Phil Huggett respectively.

All the dogs were trained by Mark Avery of Gloucestershire Constabulary and Nick Dalrymple of Avon and Somerset, and today the group were presented with their certificates at Wiltshire Police Headquarters by Assistant Chief Constable Kier Pritchard.

ACC Pritchard said: “It’s great to see the camaraderie amongst the handlers once they have completed courses like this. It has been a tough course but I have no doubt the handlers and dogs have had a lot of fun while also learning new skills.

"It is also great to see the three forces working together as one to gain the qualifications and training they need to tackle the most dangerous, prolific people that may cause harm to the public. Well done to all the handlers and their dogs – a fantastic achievement.”

PC Nick Dalrymple said: “The dogs on the course range in age from just under two-years-old to six and all of them are general purpose dogs, but they now have this additional qualification.

"During the course, the dogs have been practicing their searching and tracking skills and detaining criminals amongst many other things. They have to be pretty special dogs - they must be cool headed, sociable and ultra-controlled.

“It’s been a great course with some great students and dogs and we'd like to thank Mark for planning the course. A lot of work goes into the planning to enable it to run smoothly."