Tamworth’s new police dog, aptly named Alpha, has been putting the bite on crime in the city.
Alpha and his handler, who were recently deployed to the Oxley Police District, were involved in a stolen vehicle pursuit earlier this week.
Police say that shortly after 5am on December 29, officers received a report that a red Holden Cruze had been stolen from a home on Lenord Street, Werris Creek.
“About 6am, Oxley Proactive Crime Team were patrolling the township of Werris Creek where they located the vehicle in Poole Street,” Police said in a statement.
“A pursuit was initiated and terminated a short time later due to safety concerns. A short time later, the vehicle was located by Oxley Traffic and Highway Patrol officers on Werris Creek Road, where a pursuit was initiated, after the driver allegedly failed to stop.
“The driver was negotiating a turn onto Gunnedah Road where he hit a concrete median strip before coming to a stop at a roundabout on Duri Road.”
Police say the driver then fled from the vehicle on foot but was swiftly pursued and located by PD Alpha.
“A 19-year-old man was arrested and taken to Tamworth Police Station. He was charged with take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, two counts of police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, never licensed person drive vehicle on road and custody of knife in public place.”
The man was refused bail to appear at Tamworth Local Court.
“Great work by PD Alpha and his handler who assisted in locating the alleged driver from this stolen vehicle pursuit,” NSW Police said on social media.
Alpha and his handler – whose identity is protected – only began duties at Tamworth Police Station in November.
Oxley Police District Commander Superintendent Kylie Endemi said the addition of a Dog Unit would boost the capability of police to respond to a range of crimes and ensure public safety in the region.
“We’ve had ongoing community support leading up to this as the public understands how valuable it is to have a police dog and handler amongst our local ranks. Police dog Alpha and his handler give our local policing resources a critical piece in our tool kit in terms of disrupting and responding to crime in our local area,” Supt Endemi said.
“Oxley Police District are extremely appreciative of the collaboration with the Police Dog Unit who have worked for some time to recruit and train someone into this position. It’s exciting and we’re thrilled to have this additional resource again attached to our local area, working from Tamworth.”
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