Police dog who tackled suspected thief in Bedlington rewarded with a late night burger

A heroic police dog bravely tackled a suspected car thief in Bedlington - and officers rewarded her with a late night burger.

Six-year-old Belgian herder Ziva was given the treat after she caught the suspect at about 10.30pm on Wednesday.

Officers from Northumbria Police had found a vehicle they believed to have been stolen in a burglary earlier in the evening.

They signalled for the vehicle to stop but the driver, believed to be under the influence, ignored the blue lights and continued to drive away before he jumped out and ran.

As officers chased him over open fields, PC Helen Kane unleashed Ziva from the opposite direction and she was able to track down the suspect and tackle him before officers caught up and arrested the suspect.

At the end of the shift, PC Kane made sure to reward Ziva for her heroics by treating her to the hamburger - with cheese, extra tomato sauce and no gherkins.