Stray dog found in Newark has a nose for sniffing out crime

A dog found living on the streets is now helping sniff out crime for police and security companies.

Stitch, an English pointer springer cross, was picked up in February in Hawtonville, Newark, by a woman who notified a local dog warden.

Now Stitch is used by police, firms and clubs to take a lead role on tackling potential crime, including tracing drugs and flares in busy crowds.

Handler Kelvyn Pease said he had "real talent" for collaring law breakers.

Newark and Sherwood District Council dog warden Val Brown noticed Stitch's "excellent nose" and contacted Mr Pease, a specialist drugs dog handler.

"He was very wild," Mr Pease said. "If anybody touched him, he weed everywhere, so he was very nervous.

"He had no manners - he'd eat, chew and destroy pretty much anything that was in sight.

"I worked with him for two weeks on ball searching and then guided him through a specialist 16-day course."

Mr Pease added: "He is now used by police, security companies and night clubs to find drugs and ensure venues such as music festivals are a safe environment for the public."

Mr Pease, who now looks after the one-year-old with five other dogs, added such transformations among dogs are "very few and far between".

Mrs Brown said: "We always look to find the best possible future for all the stray dogs we pick up and it is fantastic that, with Stitch, we have found him a good home where he is thriving."