A dog was highly praised after helping the authorities find a high-risk missing person in Hersham recently.

The handlers of Police Dog (PD) Ludo said they were "very proud" of how he behaved after being called to action following a domestic incident in Hersham, near Walton, last Tuesday (January 19).

A spokesperson for Surrey Police, who attended a property in the Surrey village west of Kingston, said Ludo had been called on after adverse weather conditions prevented the use of a police helicopter to find the missing person, who had fled the address in question around 11.30pm.

"Officers were called at 11.30pm following reports that someone had fled the scene in Hersham following a domestic incident.

"When they arrived it was believed that the person was hiding in allotments situated within the search area.

"Expert tracker dog Ludo and his handler PC George Larkin were soon tasked with tracking the scent after weather conditions prevented the use of the helicopter.

"After initially searching the scene, Ludo tracked towards the allotments where he was let off the lead. He then used the wind to home in on the human scent," the spokesperson said.

The missing person was subsequently found sheltering in the allotments.

"I’m very proud of Ludo, he did exactly what he has been trained to do and saved on time and resources," Surrey Police's PC Larkin added.

"Had he not found the male when he did then the search would have been stepped up and further officers would have been called out."