THE latest North Yorkshire Police dog and its handler have completed their training and are ready to take to the streets.

PC Martin Gayles and German Shepherd PD Thor, will take over from Scarborough-based PC Vince Gillon, who is training two new sniffer dogs, Jacob and Atom.

Thor is a general purpose police dog, and can sniff out suspects, search property and find missing people, and PC Gayles has worked as a response officer in Richmond for nine years.

Retiring officer, PC Gillon has worked in Richmond, Ripon, Harrogate, and Scarborough, and has received two bravery awards, but said he was now looking forward to retirement.

He said: “I’ve had a fantastic career, it’s been challenging, interesting and rewarding. Martin is just at the beginning of his career and I wish him every success for the future. He has a brilliant career ahead of him. I’m now looking forward to playing golf and walking my retired drugs detection dog, Cocker Spaniel, Buster.”

PC Gayles said: “Combining policing with my love of dogs makes this role a dream job for me.

“I’m looking forward to the challenges and satisfaction the job will bring.”