DOGS working for Gloucestershire Police are to undergo a review by the county’s crime commissioner.

Gloucestershire Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl has launched a review into the constabulary’s dog section – one of the areas in which it works closest with neighbouring forces.

While other police forces have opted to merge to offset budget cuts, Gloucestershire - one of the UK's oldest and smallest constabularies - remains independent, preferring strategic alliances in specific areas only.

As part of the Tri-Force agreement, Gloucestershire’s force works in partnership with police in Wiltshire and Avon and Somerset. As well as dogs, the three forces also collaborate over serious organised crime, firearms and the policing of roads.

Mr Surl has called for a review to make sure the agreement works for all parties and is fair on the animals.

He said: "It's a positive review to see how well it's gone and to see if it's financially viable, which I think it is.

“A lot of these dogs are specialist and sometimes it's better to share training, share the specialist dogs - and sometimes you'll need more than one.

"The Gloucestershire dogs are based here in Gloucestershire where they spend most of their time. Certainly, the welfare of the dogs is paramount and we'll be looking at that to see how well they travel.

“Talking to the handlers it seems okay but I want to be sure".

Gloucestershire police dog Omar and his handler Debbie Shields were among the stars at Crufts recently where they were judged Police Dog Team of the Year.

They received the Police Dog Team Operational Humanitarian Action of 2014 award for saving a man's life in the face of extreme violence.