First mobile phone detection dog trained for Wales
South Wales Police has trained the countrys first mobile phone detection dog to be used by the prison service.
South Wales Police has trained the countrys first mobile phone detection dog to be used by the prison service.
The Springer Spaniel, named Max, has been trained to sniff out every element of a mobile phone, including batteries and SIM cards. Graduating from the South Wales Police dog training school last week, Max will now work with prison and custody officer Gareth Kite to help prevent mobile phones from being smuggled into the Parc Prison in Bridgend.
Five-year-old Max, already an operational drugs dog, was trained in a two-week intensive course compiled by police dog trainers Steve Sutton and David Conway.
Officer Kite, previously a dog handler with the RAF, remarked that the training had been a challenging and eye-opening experience.
I was amazed at the talents Max demonstrated and how quickly he was able to pick up the scent of the mobile phones. The course was incredibly informative and I was privileged to work alongside two very experienced instructors.
PC Sutton said: We configured a way to imprint the dog with the scent of mobile components. To Max, the phone is just like another drug scent. Upon detecting any phone part, the dog will scratch at the area to alert the handler. Were very happy with how successful Maxs training has proved to be.
Mike Thomas, head of security and operations at Parc, is delighted to introduce Max into his new role at the prison. Mobile phones are a growing problem and serious threat to security within UK prisons. Im extremely grateful to the dog trainers at South Wales Police for their cooperation and dedication to the training of our mobile detection dog.
The success of Officer Kite and Max will hopefully see more dogs trained in this role for prisons across the country.