'Speedy' police dog named after F1 champion

A new recruit for Nottinghamshire Police's dog team has been named after Formula 1 champion driver Lando Norris.

Lando was given his name by colleagues of handler PC Jonathan Whysall, partly because of his fast pace but also because of Whysall's love of F1 racing.

The timing was right after Lando Norris had been crowned F1 champion and Lando had also just finished his eight weeks of intensive dog training.

Whysall said Lando not only had the speedy nature of his sporting namesake but "he's also calm and reserved, much like Lando Norris himself".

"Funnily enough, my old dog Dexter was far more uncompromising - maybe more like Max Verstappen in nature," Whysall added.

The 15-month-old Belgian Malinois was recruited from a private breeder last summer.

Whysall, who has been a dog handler for 12 years, was given the dog to work with after his previous police dog Dexter was ready to retire.

Lando has passed a demanding examination covering all key policing disciplines and he and his handler are now patrolling the streets.

Sgt Nick Dachtler, lead dog trainer, said: "Lando has shown great promise in training, particularly in tracking people and objects.

"He's got a big name to live up to, but I'm confident he'll enjoy a long and successful career serving the public."

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