Good boy Gunner helps sniff out weapons in park

A specialist knife detection dog helped recover three weapons during a police operation in a park.

Northamptonshire Police called on the help of Gunner to help remove two folding knives and a screwdriver from the park in Rushden earlier this month.

Gunner is one of a small number of knife detection dogs nationally and is trained to identify a specific scent left on metal objects after contact with human skin.

"By using innovative tactics, it can help to identify and remove dangerous weapons before they are used," said Sgt Leigh Francoise Goodwin.

"This is a capability we would like to use more across Northamptonshire, as every weapon removed from our streets helps make our communities safer."

The operation, funded by Rushden Town Council, was led by officers from the east Northamptonshire neighbourhood policing team.

The force said officers also spoke to residents to tell them how important it was to report information about knife crime.

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