Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Tuesday 8th April 2025 at 07:25hrs
Durham Police are utilizing a new and innovative tool in their arsenal to combat sex offenders: specially trained dogs with a nose for hidden electronic devices.
These “Digi Dogs” in the force’s Dog Section are proving instrumental in uncovering crucial evidence, leading to recent arrests and convictions.
Traditionally, police dogs are renowned for their ability to sniff out drugs, weapons, and cash.
However, these new recruits have been trained to detect the unique chemical compounds present in electronic devices such as mobile phones, USB drives, and hard drives, often used to store illegal material.
The effectiveness of this new approach is already evident. The force has successfully arrested three registered sex offenders in recent months thanks to the keen senses of these four-legged detectives.
One notable case in October saw Police Dog Louie and his handler, PC Dan Cuthbertson, assist the Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders Unit (MOSOVO) following the arrest of a high-risk registered sex offender, Jonathan Deric Stuart, 36, in the Bishop Auckland area.
Stuart was suspected of possessing indecent images of children. During the search of his property, PD Louie played a vital role in locating a mobile phone, believed to have been used in the commission of the offence, cleverly concealed in a drawer.
Louie’s exceptional skills didn’t stop there; he also successfully located several covert USB pens disguised as lighters and hard drives, all of which were subsequently seized as evidence.
Stuart was arrested at the scene and charged with multiple breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He was remanded into custody and appeared before Durham Crown Court yesterday (April 3rd).
Initially scheduled for trial, Stuart changed his plea to guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison. His seized devices will also be destroyed.
A spokesperson for the MOSOVO unit highlighted the significant impact of the “Digi Dogs,” stating,
“The use of our digital dogs is a massive asset to our unit because it identifies those dishonest people who try to feed their offending behaviour by hiding devices from being examined.”
“Now with this support, we can address this head-on and it further enhances the way we can keep the public safe,” the officer added.
PD Louie, the hero of the Bishop Auckland operation, was reportedly rewarded with his favourite ball for his crucial contribution to the investigation.
The introduction of “Digi Dogs” marks a significant step forward in law enforcement’s efforts to tackle online child sexual abuse and hold offenders accountable.
By leveraging the unique capabilities of these highly trained animals, Durham Police are sending a clear message that they will utilize every available tool to protect the public and bring perpetrators to justice.
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