Chicken nugget reward for diligent police dog

Two stolen motorbikes, Multiple police units, One very good girl

And most importantly, a well-earned box of chicken nuggets.

It all started when an off-duty officer spotted two suspicious motorcycles in Cross Levels Way, Eastbourne, on 3 June. One had no number plate.

A local unit came to assist and a police pursuit began, but the riders made off at speed. Despite support from further units, there was no trace of them – until the National Police Air Service helicopter was deployed and managed to track them to an area of woodland.

That's where Police Dog Ava – a one-and-a-half-year-old German Shepherd – came in.

She only qualified as a fully licensed police dog in April and she was about to notch up her very first detention.

She quickly located both suspects hiding in the woods, where they were safely arrested. Checks confirmed both motorbikes had been stolen, and the pair were arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including theft of a vehicle, dangerous driving and failing to stop when required by police.

The suspects – two local men aged 19 and 20 – have been bailed pending further enquiries.

Job done? Not quite.

While escorting the suspects out of the woodland in possession of her favourite toy – a ball on a rope – PD Ava located both discarded crash helmets, as well as a hammer, screwdriver and pliers the suspects had tried to hide.

Her handler couldn't have been prouder of her, and once they were stood down they drove to a fast food restaurant where PD Ava was treated to her first ever chicken nuggets.

She was lovin’ it.