A FOUR-legged crimefighter has started training in York to be part of a national Ministry of Defence security team.

Valda, a German Shepherd puppy, is based with the MoD police operational support unit at RAF Linton-on-Ouse and is taking her first steps towards becoming a fully- operational police dog.

While training on the base, she will work with her handler, PC Phil Bieda, and get used to meeting new people, travelling to unfamiliar places, and experiencing new and noisy environments.

PC Bieda said: “She loves making new friends and people here are getting used to seeing her out and about around the base with me.

“She’s proving very popular, and it really helps her training when people come and say hello, and she loves the attention of course.”

The Ministry of Defence Police is a civilian police force funded by the MoD to protect military bases from terrorism, criminal activity and illegal trespass. All its 3,500 officers have full constabulary powers, and are fully firearms trained.

In May, Valda will return to the MoD police dog training centre in Essex to complete her training before being sent to an MoD site in the UK.

The unit covers the North of England and Scotland in a variety of specialist roles, and can be called upon to provide support across the UK if needed.

Inspector Gordon Bruce said: “The operational support unit can be called in to support all military units and bases across the UK, but we have also been called in to help the civilian police on a number of occasions. “The specialist dog teams perform a vital role, not just in guarding but in specialist searches and Valda will become a vital team member when she finishes her training.”