CLEVELAND Police has recruited three new canine crimefighters to help bring criminals to heel.

The dogs are being put through their paces in training which will take a total of thirteen weeks to complete.

One dog, named Michel, completed his training over the Christmas period, meaning he is now fully licensed and operational, and has already hit the streets with handler PC Nick Lynch.

Basco and Jake have 13 weeks training ahead of them, with their handlers PC Al Turley and PC Darren Gobie.

Sergeant Shelli Gordon, from the Dog Section, said: “We are delighted to welcome all three of the new dogs. I’m hopeful that Basco and Jake will become brilliant police dogs.

"Michel has shown great potential and has already taken to the streets and makes a great team with PC Lynch.”

The newly trained dogs will join the growing Dog Section, which now has 34 dogs, including those that search for drugs, cash and weapons as well as general purpose dogs.