Police Constables Adrian Kollnberger and Neil Loudon are set to represent Kent Police in the regional heats of the prestigious National Police Dog Trials.

PC Kollnberger and his seven year old German Shepherd Monte, and PC Loudon and his four year old German Shepherd Saxon, will compete against officers from the 43 police forces in the regional heats in Sussex between March 19 and 22. Finalists will go on to compete in the National Trials between April 23 and 26 at Leeds Castle, Kent.

PC Kollnberger, from Medway, has worked for Kent Police for 17 years and in the Dog Unit for more than half of that.

In 2007 he and Monte won the regional trials and came 5th in the National Trials after winning the tracking and search trophies.

PC Kollnberger said: "I have had Monte since he was eight weeks old. He has a very steady, friendly character and specialises in searching, tracking, chasing and detaining offenders.

"What really helps is the general character of the dogs and the strong relationship that we have built up with them over the years.’

PC Loudon, from Medway, has worked for Kent Police for nine years and in the Dog Unit for three years.

He said: ‘I’m very excited to be taking part in this event

"I’m keeping everything crossed that Saxon and I do well. Saxon is a great dog who loves going to work.

"Saxon recently tracked down an offender in Maidstone who had run off after stealing a cash box from a car park ticket machine.

"Saxon quickly found the offender hiding in bushes.

"Once we had detained and arrested the man Saxon completed a property search and found the stolen cash box."