Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site
We use some essential cookies to make our website work. We’d like to set additional cookies so we can remember your preferences and understand how you use our site.
You can manage your preferences and cookie settings at any time by clicking on “Customise Cookies” below. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Cookies notice.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Sorry, there was a technical problem. Please try again.
This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.
Jess Phillips, Safeguarding Minister, visited headquarters last week to see the dog unit and find out about the work being done to tackle online predators.
On Monday 27 January, the Minister enjoyed a tour of the newly-opened dog training facility in Welwyn Garden City and met ‘Digital Evidence Detection Dog’ Micky, a specially trained police dog who helps officers to find mobile phones, SIM cards and other digital devices.
Earlier that day, Micky had played a crucial role at a warrant in Welwyn Hatfield.
A registered sex offender – a man aged in his 20s – was subsequently charged with two breaches of his sexual harm prevention order and remanded to court. He gave no plea and was remanded to prison.
Another man, aged in his 20s, who was arrested on suspicion of possession of indecent images, was bailed with conditions pending a full digital examination of his seized devices.
The warrant was carried out by the constabulary’s Child Online Safeguarding Team, supported by the Public Protection Unit and the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire (BCH) Dog Unit.
Chief Constable Andy Prophet said: “A huge thank you to the BCH Dog Unit, particularly Sergeant Dan Amos and Sergeant Jim Hoare, who did a fantastic job hosting the Safeguarding Minister and showcasing the great work they do to help catch criminals. It was great to see the new dog training facility, the media were braver than me with how close they were getting to the kennel cage bars!
“I am truly proud of the excellent work we do to catch online predators and put them in front of the courts. Last year, our Child Online Safeguarding Team achieved a total of 316 charges resulting in 106 years imprisonment terms. This year has already seen another 12 years of prison sentences handed out. This is impressive work, and I am grateful to everyone for their dedication and hard work in achieving these brilliant results.”
For advice on keeping children safe online, visit Get Safe Online (opens in a new window).
Join our community messaging platform Herts Connected (opens in a new window) where you will receive free local police messages. You can also choose to receive messages from Neighbourhood Watch, Action Fraud and the Police and Crime Commissioner if that’s what you select when you sign up.
You can use our community voice platform ‘echo’ to let us know what you think we should be prioritising in your area. Your feedback will help towards shaping our local policing priorities, initiatives and campaigns. Visit echo (opens in a new window) and tell us your thoughts.