A PROUD pup is earning his stripes as a fully-fledged police dog after finding a fugitive hiding in a bush – after less than two weeks on the job.

Police dog Alfie was rewarded with a treat and a belly rub after he helped arrest a suspect wanted in connection with an assault in Penshaw.

The 15-month-old Belgian Malinois had only been qualified for ten days when he was deployed to support response officers on Wednesday morning.

Officers had responded to a report of a man causing trouble inside an address before damaging a number of parked vehicles.

Alfie and his handler PC Stephen Henry were deployed and tracked him into woodland and found the suspect hiding in a bush.

The 20-year-old suspect tried to jump a fence to escape the clutches of the police dog but was arrested by officers on suspicion of criminal damage.

He has since been released under investigation.

Chief Inspector Mick Hall, of Northumbria Police, said: “The contribution of our Dog Section cannot be overstated and Alfie is a very welcome addition to the team.

“He and a number of his siblings only qualified 10 days ago but they are already showing their value and if it was not for Alfie we would have not made such a quick arrest.

“I know that PC Henry will make sure Alfie is well rewarded but as his handler he is crucial to achieving results like this.

“They are a fantastic team and I know that this arrest will be the first of what we hope to be a long and successful career as a K9 at Northumbria Police.”