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Police dogs to be trained on former Rugeley Power Station site

Police dogs will be trained on the former Rugeley Power Station site.

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Rugeley Power Station

An area of the 139-hectare site will be used in the coming months for the training of the Dog Support Unit.

The collaboration with Staffordshire Police follows the recent announcement that ENGIE will retain ownership and a long-term interest at the site - acting as master developer to transform the former coal-fired power station into a new, sustainable 2,000-home community.

The Dog Support Unit is part of Staffordshire Police’s Tactical Support Department, providing support to operational officers during live incidents and pre-planned operations.

The dogs are specially trained to work in one of four areas - general purpose, drugs, cash or explosives.

The news comes after four Londoners were arrested after £500,000 worth of copper cable was stolen from Rugeley Power Station in November.

Chris Riches, ENGIE’s development project manager, said: “We are pleased to be able to work with Staffordshire Police to enable them to use the secure site to host police dog training, supporting the important policing work they do. This is one way in which we can bring the land back into temporary use before planning is finalised for the future of the site. Increased police activity on the site will also help to reinforce our existing security measures.”

PC Mark Sharrock, of the Staffordshire Police Dog Support Unit, said “We welcome the opportunity to make temporary use of the facility to carry out this essential training within a large, secure environment.”

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