The latest recruiting crisis at Thames Valley Police has been revealed - and applicants must have a good nose for sniffing out crime.

Dog handlers at the force are on the look-out for pure bred German Shepherd puppies to train for investigative work.

Competition for the breed by security companies, the Royal Air Force, the army and other police forces is so fierce it has led to a national shortage of the puppies

Police dogs are used a lot by the force as they can help to sniff out suspects or find missing persons, and are also used to find drugs.

Thames Valley has 33 German Shepherd dogs but is hoping to recruit more potential crimefighters for training in the autumn.

Dog trainer Sgt Jerry Cox said: "Ideally, we hope to recruit male or female German Shepherds aged between ten months and 18 months.

"They should have a very strong motivation to retrieve and be keen to play and interact with people.

"They should be well socialised, possessive, bold and inquisitive, but definitely not aggressive. As police dogs are transported in a vehicle, they must be happy to travel in a car or van."

Police dogs must be physically fit and will be required to undergo an X-ray hip examination.

The training of a police dog is reward-based, usually with the use of food or a toy.

Anyone who thinks they may know of suitable animals can contact the dog section on 01189 325560/4/5.