Police dogs could be made redundant

The Strategic Alliance between the forces and authorities is an attempt to save money as each force must deal with a 20 per cent reduction in government grant funding.

As part of the collaboration, a joint dog unit may be created, likely to be based in Cambridgeshire, which will save around £1.1million a year.

Bedfordshire Police approved the proposals at a meeting on Friday, but must wait to hear the views of the other authorities before final decisions are made in September.

A Beds Police spokesperson said: “The welfare of police dogs has always been and remains a high priority. If agreed, the business plan will be implemented in close consultation with force dog handlers, for whom the welfare of their dogs will always be of paramount importance. This will all be taken into account in delivering a collaborated dog unit function that continues to help deliver core functions and essential roles such as support at incidents of public orders.”