Force's canine crime-busters win national awards

North Yorkshire Police Dog Jax triumphed in the Detection Dog of the Year category

The work of two North Yorkshire Police dogs has been recognised at a national awards ceremony.

Rhun, a black Alsatian, and his handler PC Josh Hunsley, won the General Purpose Dog of the Year award at the National Police Dog Awards, while Jax, a brown cocker spaniel, with handler PC Claire Starkey, was named Detection Dog of the Year.

The awards were the first time any dogs from the force had been recognised for their efforts while on patrol, a North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said.

"We can't thank you enough, Jax and Rhun, for your dedication and your integral role to keeping the people of North Yorkshire safe," they added.

The National Police Dog Awards were hosted by West Midlands Police last week, with representatives from 23 forces invited to an evening of recognition and celebration.

Police Dog Rhun clinched the prize for General Purpose Dog of the Year

Police Dog Rhun was given his award following deployment to the scene of a high value burglary near Barton-le-Willows in November 2024.

The suspects had fled the scene in an HGV and then abandoned the vehicle in the live lane of the A64 dual carriageway, near Bilbrough Top.

But Rhun found both suspects hiding in a haystack after tracking two suspects for about 4.3 miles (7km) across muddy fields and woodland.

Meanwhile, Police Dog Jax helped discover a suspicious tracking device inside a vehicle of a victim of domestic abuse.

North Yorkshire Police said the device would have been impossible to locate if it was not for Jax and her ability to sniff out such items.

"Without the dogs, officers wouldn't have stood a chance in catching the suspects responsible in these two incidents," the force spokesperson said.

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