Two officers from the Brentwood and Epping Forest Community Policing Team reunited a lost dog with his grateful owners over the weekend.

Pc Karen West and Sc Lee Whitman were patrolling in Epping Forest on January 13 when they spotted a dog running around.

With no owner in sight, the pair approached the dog cautiously but he ran off. The officers gave chase but they couldn’t catch up to the dog.

Karen checked the website, www.doglost.co.uk, to see if anyone had posted about the dog.

She found a dog that matched the description, a 3-year-old Bedlington Terrier cross Whippet called Bertie, and the pair called the owner to state that they’d spotted him.

His owners, Alan and Iwona were overjoyed to receive the call. Their playful pooch had been chasing squirrels during a walk earlier that day and after hours spent searching for him, they’d almost given up hope.

Alan met the officers at the park where he had been spotted and called out for Bertie. Moments later, he appeared and rushed towards his dad who greeted him with open arms.

After giving Bertie a fuss, Alan thanked Karen and Lee for taking the time to contact him and for remaining in the area to better the chances of reuniting the dog.

Iwona has since got in touch with us to thank Karen and Lee, she said: “We are extremely grateful and will never forget the day we got Bertie back, he’s the baby of the family.”

Sc Lee Whitman has been a Special Constable with us for 13 and regularly volunteers his time to protect his local community. Could you? Apply online: www.essex.police.uk/specials