A police dog is being praised after finding a wanted man following three hours of “hide and seek” in a quiet Suffolk village at the weekend.
Police dog Daley, his handler PC Chris Squirrell and other officers were seeking a man who was wanted on recall to prison on Saturday and this led them to Kelsale, near Saxmundham.
While searching an area of farmland in the village, Daley gained a scent and continued along a river bank.
After a further search of the river bank, Daley located a man hiding in long grass.
A 33-year-old man from Thetford was arrested and has since been returned to prison.
Norfolk and Suffolk's police dog unit tweeted: "[Man] leads Suffolk police in a pursuit before PD Daley arrives and after three hours of hide and seek locates his man well hidden in a river bed."
Alan Revell, chairman of Kelsale-cum-Carlton Parish Council, said: "There was a lot of police activity. I would say there were six or seven police cars at least.
"I didn't really know what had happened, only what I saw on social media.
"It is unusual to see that sort of police activity in the village.
"You might see one, but to see that many makes you take a bit of notice."
MORE: Clever and courageous police dogs training for vital roleA spokesman for Suffolk police said: "On Saturday afternoon, PC Chris Squirrell and PD Daley were actively seeking a male wanted on recall to prison.
"Officers had reason to search the village of Kelsale near Saxmundham, and this included PD Daley and PC Squirrell.
"On entering an area of farmland, Daley gained a track and continued along a river bank.
"After some distance Daley showed interest in the river bank, he continued tracking and showing further interest in the river bank, subsequently located a man in long grass, and he was arrested."
Suffolk and Norfolk have a combined dog section, which currently has 24 licenced handlers, working across the two counties, with a shift system to provide the best availability.
The range of tasks carried out varies from tracking suspects to finding vulnerable missing people before they can come to further harm.
When not at work, the dogs live with their handlers, often interacting as a normal dog with immediate family members.
MORE: Police dog finds 'forever home' after big response to appeal
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