Jazz the Labrador - the new weapon in the fight against metal theft

Jazz is the first detection dog in the world to be trained to sniff out forensic markings on stolen metal. Credit: Selectamark

There's a new weapon in the fight against metal theft - a Labrador called "Jazz".

He's the first dog in the world to be trained to sniff out forensic markings on stolen metal.

Soaring prices for copper, lead and aluminium in recent years have led to a surge in such thefts in and around London - with gangs targeting rail and tube lines, and even cemeteries.

It's hoped that Jazz will help police search for stolen metal more efficiently - by sniffing out pieces hidden in large piles, which may not be immediately visible to the human eye.