Gus is the latest puppy preparing to get his paws dirty and play an important part in hunting criminals. 

Trainee police dog Gus joined The Puppy Programme at Norfolk and Suffolk Police at 10 weeks old from a breeder in Sheringham.

The programme has been going for four years and currently has 15 dogs in the scheme - ranging from 12 weeks old to 18 months old.

Eastern Daily Press: Trainee police dog puppy GusTrainee police dog puppy Gus (Image: James Wells)

Spaniels, labradors, German shepherds and Belgian malinois dogs are all being trained to help fight crime.

Now 18 months old, Gus is due to start his nine-week-long licensing course in three weeks.

Eastern Daily Press: Trainee police dog GusTrainee police dog Gus (Image: James Wells)

The German shepherd will learn how to track and search for people, detain suspects and find pieces of evidence.

PC James Wells is the Puppy Program manager and is responsible for the development of the dogs from eight weeks old until they make the grade for the course. 

Eastern Daily Press: Trainee police dog GusTrainee police dog Gus (Image: James Wells)

He said: "Gus has been performing most of these elements to a very high standard since a very young age and now he has matured he is a very exciting prospect for the future.

"He is naturally gifted at many of the skills we look for.

Eastern Daily Press: Trainee police dog GusTrainee police dog Gus (Image: James Wells)

Eastern Daily Press: Trainee police dog GusTrainee police dog Gus (Image: James Wells)

"Not only that, but he is a good-looking hunk and a bit of a dude."

PC Wells has worked as a police officer for 27 years and as a dog handler for 17 of those years.  

Eastern Daily Press: Trainee police dog GusTrainee police dog Gus (Image: James Wells)

He began as a trainer six years ago and runs the Puppy Programme on the side of being an officer. 

Gus has been placed with serving police officer Owen and his family and is going to be PC Jamie Ward's dog, from the Downham Market area.

Other current pup recruits include Dakota, a 14-week-old Belgian malinois, and nine-month-old sprocker spaniel Daisy