The Emergency Services Show

The Emergency Services Show 2011

Sunday 11th September 2011 10am - 4pm

Hullavington Airfield, Nr Chippenham, Wiltshire

All proceeds donated to charity

Emergency Services Show to play host to police dog trials!

Police dogs from across the South West will be competing in their own trials this September as part of the Emergency Services Show.

The Show - organised by a voluntary committee drawn from Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service, Wiltshire Police and Great Western Ambulance Service - is being held at Hullavington airfield, off J17 of the M4 near Chippenham, on Sunday 12 September.

The police dog trials, led by the Wiltshire Police dog section, is a new attraction for 2010 and will be held in its own arena. Twelve police dogs from seven forces will compete for a range of trophies, and visitors will be able to see some of the best dogs from across the region carrying out exercises in a competitive environment.

During the first session, the dogs will be judged on their accuracy in a heelwork exercise. This will measure not only their obedience but also how well they enjoy working with their handler. The dogs' agility will also be assessed over a range of four different obstacles, including a 6ft high scale.

The second session will see the police dog and handler pit their skills against five 'criminals', some armed with a weapon or gun. The teams will have to show tenacity in accosting these offenders, but the dogs will also have to remain controlled and responsive to their handlers in what is an extremely exciting environment. Handler nerves can often play a part in these competitions, and the dogs can seize the moment and play to the crowd!

During the lunch break, there will be a demonstration of how police dogs search for illegal drugs. Mostly spaniels, these dogs have exceptional noses and the enthusiasm they bring to the search is a joy to see - the audience will be able to join in parts of this display.

Chief Inspector Mark Levitt, from the Emergency Services Show committee, said: "This is a unique opportunity for the public to see the best police dog teams in the region competing against each other, and it is bound to be a great crowd pleaser! It is also a perfect fit with the aim of the Show, which is to showcase the work of the emergency services and those who work with them to keep our communities safe."