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Police Dog Phantom: Hero Of Amberley Pursuit

Police Dog Phantom (Photo: Sussex Police)

This is Police Dog Phantom, who found a suspected criminal in a hedge after he ran away from officers.

The chase began on the afternoon of Thursday May 6, as police responded to a disturbance at an address in East Street in Amberley, West Sussex.

Officers said a man reportedly put holes in a wall, smashed plates and broke a vacuum cleaner.

Police arrived, and arrested a suspect — but he didn't come quietly.

Officers permitted him to gather some personal belongings before leaving, but while supposedly finding his items, he escaped out of a rear window — and moved out of sight.

This had turned into a job for the Dog Unit and, in particular, Police Dog Phantom — a two-year-old German Shepherd, described as a "general purpose" dog.

As he got to work, he tracked away from the property and onto the South Downs.

Moments later, the suspect was found hiding in a hedge.

Police said a 29-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and has been released under investigation, pending further enquiries.

Phantom is acquiring a reputation for his personality, and for his success over a number of operations.

In November 2020, PC Jackson of the Surrey and Sussex Police Dogs Unit told More Radio:

"Currently, Phantom is a young, big bundle of excitable energy and at times mischievous but with a great personality.

"He loves going to work and is always extremely keen every time the tracking harness comes out."

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