Greater Manchester Police’s Tactical Dog Unit has recorded its highest arrest numbers on record, with 374 suspects captured in 2024—more than one per day—following the addition of 11 new handlers recruited to boost coverage during peak demand periods.

The specialized unit’s monthly arrest rate has surged by over one-third since new shift patterns launched in February, averaging 43 arrests per month. In the past eight weeks alone, dogs and their handlers have apprehended multiple burglary and robbery suspects alongside two men arrested on suspicion of rape, while recovering more than a dozen weapons including firearms and knives. During a single weekend this month, the unit made nine arrests ranging from burglary to criminal damage.

New recruit Daisy, a search dog, recently located a £10,000 watch discarded following a Cheshire burglary, while a patrol unit found and arrested a wanted man hiding inside a bin in Hulme on Sunday. Superintendent Paul Walker of GMP’s Specialist Operations Branch said the force’s 24-hour dog patrols provide critical support to neighbourhood and response officers across Greater Manchester. “If there is a need for a dog to help catch a suspect, track or find people or evidence then we’ll have dogs ready, available and nearby,” Walker stated.

The unit’s general purpose dogs track suspects and support firearms operations, while search dogs specialize in locating drugs, cash and weapons. Recent notable deployments include PD Axel recovering a suspected firearm tossed into an Oldham bush, PD Jimmy chasing down a suspected burglar in Salford, and a dog team arriving first at a Dukinfield stabbing scene where the handler administered CPR before paramedics arrived. All handlers complete a 13-week initial training course with their canine partners, followed by 80 hours of annual continuation training and specialized firearms support dog training for experienced teams.

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