North Yorkshire Police's newest recruits will soon to be sniffing out law breakers.

German shepherds Rudi, Bruno, Blaze and Jess have successfully completed a 13-week course at the Dog Training Centre at Solberge, near Northallerton, and are now licensed to go on patrol.

Sgt David James, head of profession for the dog section, said: "The deployment of these dogs will have a significant impact on tackling our priorities of reducing crime and providing public reassurance, which in turn will reduce the fear of crime."

The dogs have been allocated to their officers, who are all members of the firearms support unit, which now encompasses the former dog section and operates across the county.