A CANINE cop found a suspect hiding in bushes and a machete nearby after police were called to a disturbance.

Officers were called to reports of a disturbance on Wylam Avenue, Darlington, at about 10.40pm on Friday, January 22.

A Durham Police spokesperson said: “A man was reported to be swinging a long metal object while chanting.

“On officer attendance, a man was found by PD Tex in bushes near Springfield Park and arrested on suspicion of affray.

“Shortly afterwards, the dog support unit located a machete on the ground nearby.

“On Saturday, 30-year-old Andrew Stephenson of Salters Close, Darlington, was charged with possession of a knife blade/sharp pointed article in a public place.”