Glen Myerscough - Cumbria Police

Glen brought along his two dogs, Bron, a general purpose dog, and Alfie, a springer spaniel who has been trained to search principally for drugs, but also for money and people.

 The dogs are trained on a reward basis, being praised when they have done well and ignored when they haven't.

 German Shepherds had served police well for many years, but the breed is now showing health problems so the force is now looking at alternatives such as Malinois (Belgian Shepherd).

 Although most people are aware that police dogs can sniff out drugs, they are also trained to find money and firearms.

 Glen told us that the dogs can pick out people carrying the most minute quantities of drugs or other substances.

If they are looking for firearms they can get positive results when someone has a slight residue on them from previous handling.

 Glen cited instances where police dogs had been successful in finding drugs in cars, even when minute and detailed searches has failed.

 He then put Bron and Alfie through their paces before answering a variety of questions from members.