CEASAR the police dog went into reverse to pin down a car thief. Usually sniffer dogs find suspects after a crime, but clever Ceaser led officers to a stolen car after they arrested a suspect.

PC Tony Drummond and his dog, Ceasar, sprang into action when a Vauxhall Astra sped past them.

The driver refused to stop and, after a brief pursuit, PC Drummond lost sight of the car.

Before long, he spotted the driver hiding behind another car and arrested him. However, the Astra was nowhere to be seen so PC Drummond used Ceasar to track away from the suspect towards the evidence.

Ceasar took PC Drummond, 36, on a mile-long journey through fields and woods before they found the Astra, engine still running, in a haulage car park.

The car had been stolen during a burglary in Medomsley, County Durham. Fingerprints and clothing fibres found inside linked the suspect to the scene.

PC Drummond and Ceasar are to be awarded Durham Constabulary's John Turner Trophy, presented annually for the most meritorious piece of work by a police dog for the incident, which took place last May.

This is the second year in succession the pair have won.

Last year, they were honoured after they embarked on a lengthy pursuit to track down a burglar from Consett hours after he had committed the offence.