Police dog discovers 'hidden' boy

Jenga left his handler Pc Mick Brown and crawled under bushes

A police dog has been praised for finding a missing 11-year-old boy hidden in dense undergrowth in Norfolk.

Police officers, the force helicopter and members of the public searched for the boy, who went missing in the Diss area.

German shepherd Jenga crawled under thorn bushes and barked when he saw the boy curled up in a muddy embankment.

Police, who have just released details of the incident in October, said it could have had a "tragic outcome".

A Norfolk Police spokesman said it would not have been possible for people or the helicopter to find the boy due to the fading light and the remote area where he was discovered.

The boy, who has not be named, was at risk of hyperthermia as the temperature was dropping and he was wearing a thin t-shirt.

"Had it not been for Jenga, this incident may have resulted in a tragic outcome," he added.

The boy's mother said: "We are very thankful to everyone who helped in the search and in particular police dog Jenga who ultimately made the discovery and reunited us with our son.

"It was obviously a very worrying time for us and we were so relieved that he was found safe.

"Had it not been for Jenga and given that light was fading, it could have been a far more serious incident.

"We are very grateful to the dog unit, the police officers and people who assisted us."