Sniffer dogs trained to detect spiking drugs deployed on nights out across Thames Valley and Hampshire
Six police dogs, named Maverick, Puma, Dusty, AJ, Reggie and Major, have completed extensive training for the new role.
Specially trained police dogs are being used to detect drugs linked to spiking offences during nights out across Thames Valley and Hampshire.
The dogs, whose training includes identifying substances often carried in small quantities or in liquid form, will support officers carrying out checks in the night-time economy.
The capability has been launched by the Joint Operations Unit (JOU), which provides specialist policing support across Thames Valley Police and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary.
It forms part of both forces' wider work to tackle violence against women and girls and to help people enjoy nights out safely.
Six police dogs, named Maverick, Puma, Dusty, AJ, Reggie and Major, have completed extensive training for the new role.
They will work alongside JOU officers and local policing teams on proactive operations across both force areas.
The timing coincides with students arriving at universities across Thames Valley and Hampshire for the start of the academic year, a period when many people are exploring new towns and cities with friends.
Officers and the dogs will be supporting operations in the night-time economy alongside partners and local safety schemes.
The National Police Chiefs' Council has recognised the dogs' new detection capability and added it to the national police dog portfolio.
The dogs have already made a number of detections of controlled drugs during operations, according to the forces, with cocaine identified as one of the most commonly found substances.
The forces said that while incidents of spiking remain low, prevention is treated as being as important as enforcement.
People carrying substances linked to spiking offences should expect to be stopped, questioned and investigated by police, the forces said.
Thames Valley Police's Chief Constable Jason Hogg said: "Keeping people safe remains our priority, particularly within the night-time economy where individuals should be able to enjoy socialising without fear of becoming a victim of crime.
"This innovative dog capability provides officers with an additional tool to identify and deter those carrying substances linked to spiking offences, helping us to prevent harm before it occurs.
"This demonstrates our commitment to innovation, partnership working and protecting our communities from those who seek to exploit others."