Police dog cameras provide leads

He may look like a doggy version of a character from Star Wars, but this pooch plays an important role in helping the police catch criminals.

He's wearing the latest weapon in the war against gun crime. It's a tiny camera and radio used by police dogs when searching buildings for firearms.

The technology is being used by dogs from the Northumbria force.

It replaces a much heavier camera, which made the dogs tired. Now they can keep searching for ages.

Vote for your fave pet

"The dogs can operate absolutely as normal and just seem to forget the camera is there," said a police spokesman.

Special

The equipment sends back information to officers while the dogs are searching the buildings. It is fitted with special lights, so they can even hunt in the dark.

The dogs are sent into places where a suspect is thought to have a firearm and also help with the arrest of offenders who may be armed.