Hero Police Dog Sniffs Out Bognor Regis Drug Dealer in Dead of Night
In the early hours of November 28, 2023, Sussex Police’s canine unit sprang into action. Reports of drug dealing and antisocial behaviour in Bognor Regis sparked heavy patrols around Hastings Close and Trinity Way.
Meet PD Billy: The Canine Crimebuster
Enter PD Billy, a five-year-old German Shepherd who’s been with Sussex Police since he was just eight months old. At around 1:10am, officers spotted a hooded figure dashing into the shadows. They unleashed Billy’s expert tracking skills – and within moments, he found the suspect hiding between two houses.
Drugs, Knives and a Quick Arrest
Billy’s nose didn’t just help catch the suspect – it uncovered a stash of cannabis, scales, “deal bags” and a knife hidden under concrete slabs in a nearby alleyway. The man, 20-year-old James Boden from Queens Field West, Bognor, was swiftly arrested.
At Worthing Magistrates’ Court on March 12, Boden admitted possession of a bladed article in public and cannabis possession after fleeing police.
Justice Served: Community Order for Dealer
On July 3, Boden was handed a community order requiring 120 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay £150 in court costs and a £114 surcharge for his crimes.
Billy’s work shows just how vital police dogs are in cracking down on drugs and keeping our streets safe,” said a Sussex Police spokesperson.
PD Billy continues to embody the “nose, speed, and vigilance” that makes police dogs indispensable frontline heroes in communities across Sussex.
