A POLICE dog joined more than 100 officers and staff receiving awards for their response to the Nottingham riots.
The ceremony took place on Friday at Albert Hall – near Canning Circus Police Station, which was petrol-bombed during the disorder in August 2011.
Chief Constable Chris Eyre was joined by Sir John Peace, Lord Lieutenant of Notts, to commend officers for their work in Operation Constantia.
Ritchie, a seven-year-old police dog, and his handler, PC Leigh Whitehead, were among those to receive certificates.
The pair were part of a team of six officers and six dogs responsible for 25 of the 90 arrests on Tuesday, August 9.
"It was exhilarating but very frightening as well," recalled PC Whitehead, who was among officers who responded to the petrol-bombing of the station.
"I've been in the force for 23 years and it was one of the most frightening nights I've ever been involved in.
"The whole dog section played a massive part and it means more to me that the dog has got an award than me because it's nice to see the dogs get that recognition for what they are trained to do.
"Normally, it's the officers who are awarded but in the dog section we are only as good as the dogs we handle. The working partnership is excellent and they put their lives on the line for us, which is something you can't comprehend unless you are in the dog section."
The disorder in Nottingham spread from London on the night of Monday, August 8.
The next night, the force dealt with more than 1,000 reports of incidents in the city and the county.
As well as Canning Circus, Nottingham High School was targeted when around 20 people climbed on to the room.
Officers came under physical attack and stones were thrown at police vehicles.
The story of the August riots was told at the awards evening through interviews, pictures and commentary.
Ritchie, who bit several of the offenders in the Canning Circus attack, helping identify and arrest them, attended the ceremony to rapturous applause.
PC Whitehead said: "It was quite an amazing feeling walking up on stage with him because the room just erupted with applause.
"If it wasn't for the work of the whole dog section, Nottingham would have faced a lot more damage."
Within 48 hours, Notts Police had managed to put an end to the trouble – quicker than elsewhere in the country.
The force says that its robust response, a 24-hour communication function to reassure people and an overwhelming surge of support from the public helped restore calm and peace.
More than 140 people were arrested and have been dealt with through the courts.
