Police have collared the latest in technology by kitting out their firearms dogs with cameras.
Dogs fitted with the cameras can operate normally
The miniature television camera and radio transmitter is fitted on to a harness and can be placed on the heads of Northumbria Police dogs.
It means they can search buildings and relay the information back to officers.
Sgt Glen Bland, from the dog section, said: "The previous camera system had a heavy battery pack which meant the dogs got tired quickly."
He added that the new system is 75% lighter and also produces improved picture quality.
"The dogs can operate absolutely as normal and just seem to forget the camera is there," he said.
Crème de la crème
The Fido camera system has infra-red lights, which means pictures can be provided in darkness.
Pictures are seen on a receiver unit carried by the dog handler and an audio facility allows them to listen to any activity near the dog.
Dogs are chosen for firearms duties if they show qualities in their first three or four years which would make them suitable for training in advanced searching.
Sgt Bland said: "They really are the crème de la crème and are trained to an extremely high standard."