Two stolen motorbikes, multiple police units, one very good girl — and a well-earned box of chicken nuggets.
Police Dog Ava has made her first detention after helping officers track down two suspects in Eastbourne.
It began on 3 June 2026, when an off-duty officer spotted two suspicious motorcycles in Cross Levels Way. One of the bikes had no number plate.
A local police unit went to assist and a pursuit began, but the riders made off at speed. Despite support from further officers, there was no sign of them — until the National Police Air Service helicopter was called in.
The helicopter tracked the suspects to an area of woodland, where PD Ava was brought in to finish the job.
Ava, a one-and-a-half-year-old German Shepherd, had only qualified as a fully licensed police dog in April. But she wasted no time in marking a milestone moment in her new career.
She quickly located two suspects hiding in the woods, where they were safely arrested.
Checks confirmed both motorbikes had been stolen. The suspects, two local men aged 19 and 20, were arrested on suspicion of a number of offences, including theft of a vehicle, dangerous driving and failing to stop when required by police.
Both men have since been bailed pending further enquiries.
But Ava’s work was not quite over.
While escorting the suspects out of the woodland, with her favourite toy — a ball on a rope — she also found discarded crash helmets, along with a hammer, screwdriver and pliers the suspects had tried to hide.
Her handler could not have been prouder.
Once they were stood down, Ava was taken to a fast food restaurant and treated to her first ever chicken nuggets.
She was lovin’ it.
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