RESCUED dogs TJ and Zak could soon be helping to fight crime on the streets they used to live on.

The German shepherd dogs rescued by the National Canine Defence League have now been taken on trial by Lancashire Constbulary to see if they will make the grade as police dogs.

Lancashire police dog training unit is the first in the country to take rescue dogs donated by the NCDL following their three-year ban on re-homing dogs to the police service.

The NCDL stopped donating dogs to police forces three years ago amid concerns about dog welfare.

Since then the NCDL has helped the Association of Chief Police Officers with the new national dog strategy. One successful part of this project was the new lay visitors scheme in Lancashire where specially appointed members of the public make spot checks on the dog centre whenever they wish.

Now the NCDL hopes the scheme will be adopted by police forces nationwide.

Richard Moore of Merseyside NCDL, said: "TJ and Zak are both bright dogs who deserve the chance to show what they can do. Obviously they wouldn't be in this fantastic postition if it wasn't for the pilot lay visitors scheme in Lancashire."

Sergeant John Dean said: "We are always looking for decent dogs to put through our training programme and are very keen to work with the NCDL and other animal donation organisations to promote the high standards of dog training and welfare not only in Lancashire but within the police service as a whole."

Lancashire Police Authority is looking for more volunteers to join the lay visiting scheme. Anyone interested should call Ian Dickinson on 01772 263462.

Picture: PC Brian Sanderson with TJ and the NCDL's Richard Moore