Appeal for 'homeless' police dogs

Harperley Hall, built in 1785, was sold to Durham Police in 1947

Durham Police are looking for a new home for the force's dogs ahead of the closure of the current kennels.

For nearly 40 years, the force has run the North East's regional police dog training centre from its base at Harperley Hall near Crook.

In July the dogs will be made homeless by major re-development proposals for the hall.

The former country mansion, built in 1785, was sold to Durham Police Authority in 1947.

Insp Paul Gee, of the force's training department, said: "We would appeal to any member of the public, particularly the farming community or people living in the countryside, to consider offering us help.

"We need to find a temporary base very quickly but we are also very interested in identifying a more permanent site."

Former factory

The Home Office-approved centre, which enjoys an international reputation, is one of only a dozen in the UK.

The nine-strong team at Harperley Hall, which includes some of the country's foremost experts, delivers training to up to 200 handlers and dogs every year.

It had been hoped to include a kennelling facility in a purpose-built public order training complex, planned within a former factory site about three miles south west of Durham City.

But, while that project is pressing ahead, the proposal to include accommodation for more than 40 dogs has fallen through because of the site's close proximity to housing.