A BURGLAR IN Belfast was tracked down by a police dog after he left an item of clothing at the scene of the crime.

Last night at around 9.20pm, the PSNI received a report that a burglary was happening at an unoccupied home in the Alexandra Gardens area of the city.

PSNI officers were immediately dispatched to the scene and a dog handler was the first to arrive.

The suspect, a masked man, made off through a window.

However, it’s understood that he discarded an item of clothing while doing so and the police dog, Raya, was able to follow a scent trail to a nearby hedge where a man was found hiding.

The man in hiding, aged in his 30s, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary with intent to commit unlawful damage and remains in custody.

A PSNI spokesperson remarked that police dogs are an “extremely valuable asset to our service and are instrumental in detaining suspects and making arrests”.

Police dogs can follow a scent trail or identify a specific scent which is undetectable to humans – the PSNI added that “even developing technology can’t replicate these skills”.

“Our officers couldn’t carry out their duties to such a high standard without these dogs and they are an integral part of the police family,” said the PSNI.