Stab vests given to Wiltshire police dogs following knife attacks
Officers hope the kit will protect their animals from violent criminals
Wiltshire's police dogs are now wearing dedicated body armour, to protect them from violent criminals.
The force is rolling-out stab vests for their dogs, following several knife attacks across the county over the past year.
A further two stabbings took place in Swindon over the weekend.
The issue is also on the rise across the county. In 2022, the number of knife-related crimes recorded in Wiltshire was 14% higher than in 2021.
The canine vests, which are similar to those used by human police officers, absorb the impact from bladed weapons and reduces their penetration to the skin.
However, the animals won't be wearing the kit during all their missions, only those where the handler feels their safety could be at risk.
'We need to take measures to protect our dogs'
PC Jon Harwood, a Wiltshire Police dog handler, has spoken to Greatest Hits Radio.
"We have seen an increase in offenders carrying blades and sharp objects that we need to take measures to protect our dogs.
"I'd like to reassure people that in the time that I have been in the dog section there have been no reports of our dogs having been stabbed or shot. But our dogs are used to search for people armed with weapons all the time so this will hopefully offer them protection," he said.
The vests will be given to all of Wiltshire Police's General Purpose and Firearm Support Dogs.