WINSTON the canine crime-fighter is pioneering a new approach to policing the streets.

The Belgium Shepherd and some of his four-legged friends will now ride with police officers in a new rapid-response vehicle designed to attend incidents with maximum speed.

For the first time in Bolton, trained police dogs will accompany their handlers and an officer from the traffic unit in the high-powered Volvo estate car -- 24-hours a day.

The new patrol is specifically aimed at targeting reports of burglary or robbery but can attend any incident.

Dogs like four-year-old Winston from Bolton Police's dog unit will be used to detain suspected criminals once the patrol car arrives at the incident.

And the canine companions, which have started their patrols this week, are already proving to be a valuable tool.

The patrol was called to an incident in Farnworth in the early hours of Monday morning where a 17-year-old Bolton youth was arrested on suspicion of motoring offences.

Ch Supt Don Brown, Bolton's Divisional Commander, said: "Reducing street crime is our top priority and we are always looking at new ways to tackle the problem.

"The vehicle will be used wisely in operations aimed at maximising police presence in those areas where communities are suffering from street crime."

The back of the car is fitted with a special cage allowing the police dogs to leap into action and one dog will travel with two officers at any one time.

Chief Supt Brown added: "We hope this will send out a clear message to offenders that street crime will not be tolerated and also reassure residents that we are using all the resources available to us to make their streets safer."

WINSTON the canine crime-fighter is pioneering a new approach to policing the streets.

The Belgium Shepherd dog and some of his four-legged friends will now ride with police officers in a new rapid-response vehicle designed to attend incidents with maximum speed.

For the first time in Bolton, trained police dogs will accompany their handlers and an officer from the traffic unit in the high-powered Volvo estate car -- 24-hours a day.

The new patrol is specifically aimed at targeting reports of burglary or robbery but can attend any incident.

Dogs like four-year-old Winston from Bolton Police's dog unit will be used to detain suspected criminals once the patrol car arrives at the incident.

And the canine companions, which have started their patrols this week, are already proving to be valuable.

The patrol was called to an incident in Farnworth in the early hours of Monday morning where a 17-year-old Bolton youth was arrested on suspicion of motoring offences.

Ch Supt Don Brown, Bolton's Divisional Commander, said: "Reducing street crime is our top priority and we are always looking at new ways to tackle the problem.

"The vehicle will be used wisely in operations aimed at maximising police presence in those areas where communities are suffering from street crime."

The back of the car is fitted with a special cage allowing the police dogs to leap into action and one dog will travel with two officers at any one time.

Chief Supt Brown added: "We hope this will send out a clear message to offenders that street crime will not be tolerated and also reassure residents that we are using all the resources available to us to make their streets safer."