Humberside Police dogs attend Crufts 2025

Officers from the Dog Section were honoured to attend Crufts 2025, supporting the Thin Blue Paw Foundation at the NEC, Birmingham on Saturday 8, March.

PC Steve Matthews and PC Rob James were joined by PD Duke and retired police dog (RPD) Neo to represent the force at the world’s greatest dog show. They were invited by Thin Blue Paw, a charity foundation that protects, celebrates and rehabilitates both serving and retired police dogs across the UK.

PC Steve Matthews reflected on the event: “This was the first time Humberside has been invited to attend Crufts and it was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the vital work that our teams do every day.

“Saturday was ‘Pointer Day’, and PD Duke, one of our specialist digital detection dogs, drew in crowds demonstrating his impressive skills. Meanwhile, RPD Neo, who was supported by the Thin Blue Paw Foundation last year when he required life-saving surgery, received plenty of attention from visitors.

“Thin Blue Paw have supported so many dogs and sections across the UK and Humberside is no exception, so it was a pleasure to support them at Crufts”.

Kieran Stanbridge, co-founder and trustee of The Thin Blue Paw Foundation said: “It was a huge privilege to welcome PC Matthews, PC James, PD Duke, and RPD Neo on our stand at Crufts.

“The foundation had the honour of supporting RPD Neo in his time of need last year when he required emergency surgery for gastric torsion, by funding the surgery in full. It’s our immense privilege to support the retired police dogs of Humberside Police and to showcase the outstanding work of both heroic serving and retired police dogs from Humberside at the world’s greatest dog show, Crufts.”