Police dog ‘kicked and punched’ by man fleeing police in Crawley

Police Dog Finn was attacked as he helped officers track down the man following the spate of damage to vehicles parked in five roads in Northagte.

Officers say they received a number of calls from people about the damaged cars just before 4am on Saturday.

A spokesman said: “Calls began to come in about a man damaging the wing mirrors and wipers of cars parked in the Northgate area, including Turnpike Place, Honeysuckle Lane, Hazel Close, Briar Close and Five Acres. Altogether 19 cars were damaged.

“Officers responded, carrying out a thorough search of the area, and the suspect was spotted 20 minutes later on a cycle.

“At 4.30am he was found and arrested in Ifield Avenue after a brief struggle in which Police Dog Finn, who had helped track the suspect down and took hold of him, was kicked and punched.”

A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, theft of the cycle and causing unnecessary suffering to the dog.

After being interviewed he was released under investigation while police enquiries continue.

The spokesman added that Police Dog Finn did not suffer any physical injury.

District Commander for Crawley and Mid Sussex, Chief Inspector Shane Baker, said; “This was a really good combined effort by officers on duty, with the assistance of Finn, which resulted in a swift arrest.”,

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