Handlers said the dogs were quick learners

The Malinois, Belgium Shepherds as opposed to German, have been given licenses to work with handlers after being trained up from puppies.

They have been trained in tracking and searching for criminals, detaining them; searching for property and dealing with disorder.

They are also trained to protect their handlers from attack.

The force, which mainly uses German Shepherds, has been so impressed with the Malinois, that it believes up to 20% cent of the dog section's animals could eventually be made up of the breed.

Sergeant Paul Glennon said: "Malinois are great working dogs.

"It has been a fantastic challenge working with them, they learn very quickly. But if they pick up something which you don't want, it is difficult to erase it from their minds, so handlers have to be very careful in their training programme."

"But they are also a very healthy dog which can work for the police up to 10-years-old."