Team awarded Trophy as PD Storm retires after seven years’ service

A BTP police dog and his handler have been presented with an award for their invaluable contribution at the scene of a hit and run in Scotland.

PD Storm and PC Raymond Martin were presented with the force’s prestigious Bryan Trophy on the dog’s retirement.

On May 27 last year PC Martin was driving along the M8 towards Edinburgh when he came across a vehicle on its roof between the hard shoulder and inside lane.

He learned from witnesses at the scene that two men had fled towards nearby woodland.

He deployed Storm, who was able to pick up their scent and track them through several fields, a river and an electric fence. PC Martin suffered an electric shock from the fence, but he was not badly injured.

Storm tracked the two suspects just over two miles away and found them hidden underneath a riverbank and partly submerged by water.

The police dog then assisted in detaining the pair until colleagues from Police Scotland arrived.

Both men were arrested and charged with a variety of offences.

Storm’s award of the British Transport Police’s Bryan Trophy comes as he gets set to retire after seven years of service.

Chief Inspector Pete Kooper said: “Huge congratulations are in order for PC Martin and PD Storm, who demonstrated exemplary perseverance and determination in tracking two suspects who had tried their best to flee the scene of a crime.

“It’s a fitting end to an illustrious career in BTP for PD Storm, who has spent seven years protecting the railway network in Scotland.

“We’d all like to wish him a very happy and much deserved retirement.”