Police dog leaps into action

A police dog has been hailed a hero after jumping through the broken window of a caravan to tackle a man who police say was threatening to blow himself up.

Officers were involved in a two-hour stand-off after being called to a report of a disturbance at a caravan in Newark.

Sergeant Mark Burrell, of Newark Police, said: “A man had disconnected a gas canister and the gas was emptying out into the caravan.

“At one point the canister had fallen from his grasp and the dog, Rossi, at that moment was awesome.

“His handler, Pc Matt Rogers, released him and Rossi leapt through the window and grabbed hold of the man.

“Pc John Chappel then seized his opportunity and secured the canister.”

Homes either side of the caravan were evacuated by police due to the risk of explosion and paramedics were on stand-by.

“Without the dog the situation could have been much, much worse and we could be talking about a death or serious injury,” said Sergeant Burrell.

A man has been charged with affray following the incident.