BEXLEY pooches and their owners joined forces at a Crayford launch event for a new police scheme.

Neighbourhound Watch will operate on a similar basis to other community safety schemes except it will focus on dog walkers reporting suspicious behaviour.

Police believe dog-walkers are more likely to spot criminal behaviour as they are out at various points throughout the day.

More than 150 dog walkers have already signed up to the scheme thanks to the stall at Pets at Home in Tower Retail Park on Friday.

The initiative is the brainchild of Sidcup-based Sergeant Mark Rudd – and has already had its first lead.

A dog walker out in Blendon Road, Bexley, came across a car acting suspiciously and officers are now investigating the vehicle in connection with a burglary.

Sgt Rudd said: “We’ve had a very good response.

“Dog walkers tend to keep things to themselves but if they report it to police and we are aware we can deal with whatever it is they report.

“They can just tell their Neighbourhood Watch teams what they see and then it is our duty to go and investigate.”

E-mail bexwatch-office@btconnect.com to sign-up.

You can follow Sergeant Rudd on Twitter.