PD Vixen protecting the streets over the festive period

Whilst Santa Claus is out delivering presents to the masses over this festive period, dog handler PC Sam Jones is out delivering justice for the communities of Staffordshire.

Despite their different occupations, both Santa and PC Jones share one common companion - a furry friend called Vixen.

The two-year-old Dutch Shepherd, PD Vixen, has been making a number of arrests in the lead up to Christmas.

She was deployed on a vehicle pursuit, where she detained three men whom attempted to flee the vehicle. Officers had been in pursuit of the vehicle for some time, until the three occupants exited. They didn't get past Vixen.

PD Vixen has also been tracking down suspected burglars in the county. She was sent into an abandoned premises by PD Jones following reports of burglary in the area - where she located two men inside and called in officers to assist - leading to two arrests.

Criminal-catching aside, she also assisted units in tracing a high-risk missing person earlier this month. The individual in question was identified after a collaborate search effort, where they were thankfully brought to safety.

PC Jones said: “We’ve been to a variety of different incidents over the December period so far and I am very pleased with her work in assisting myself and other units which have been deployed.

“We became operational back in June 2020 and we are still developing our experience as we go.

"I believe that it is vital as a handler for you to expose your PD to a variety of different factors, whether this is crime related, missing people, public order incidents or lesser urgent community concerns.

“Vixen has been able to attend a fair few of these over the Christmas period – and I have been very impressed with her work.”

PC Jones said: “There is nothing more rewarding than seeing your dog make a difference – whether this is finding someone in need or detaining a suspect – it is one of the best feelings in the world.

“The only way I can describe it is like working with your best friend.

“She certainly deserves a couple of treats on the 25th”