UK's oldest serving police dog has finally retired after making more than 200 arrests.

Belgian Shepherd Bodie stood down on Friday aged 12 after ten years of service for Leicestershire Police and is believed to be the oldest working still working in the UK.

His stellar career has seen him chase down fleeing suspects as well join the hunt for vulnerable missing people despite working three years longer than the average canine copper.

Bodie and his handler PC Dave Oliver, were even awarded a commendation for outstanding work during their time together.

Together they’ve scoured open land and buildings for property or evidence and Bodie has been directly involved in more than 200 arrests.

But now he can look forward to a happy retirement at home with PC Oliver who has been with the force for 22 years and has spent the past 17 with the dog unit.

PC Oliver said: “As he is the force’s and potentially the oldest serving police dog in the UK, it’s about time he took a well-deserved rest.”

“Bodie is retiring at the age of 12 and from the day he joined he has been outstanding in all areas of work.”

Police dogs assist their human counterparts in emergencies and at large public events like protests and football matches.

And if they’re called on, they’ll even bare their teeth and bite if they’re working with armed and dangerous criminals.

PC Oliver said: “Generally we retire dogs at the age of nine, however due to his good health and willingness to work we have worked him until now.

“Bodie has been outstanding and a pleasure to work with.

“He really is a companion to me, as I have worked with him since he passed his training in 2004.

“Over the years his working ability has never ceased to amaze me.

“It is always key that we as handlers have trust and confidence in our dogs and that’s just what I have with Bodie.

“He trusts me implicitly whatever I ask him to do and I trust intrinsically in his abilities.

“He will retire and remain at home with me where he is part of the family and has been since I first took him home.”

Bodie is the second police dog Pc Oliver has worked with and he will shortly take on a new partner, a dog which is currently with a colleague who is due to retire from the force after 30 years of service.