A 16-year-old boy has been charged with stabbing a police dog and his handler in Stevenage in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The Comet: Police dog Finn is on the road to recovery.Police dog Finn is on the road to recovery. (Image: Archant)

The teenager from Lewisham will appear at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court today charged with ABH for an assault on PC Wardell in which he suffered stab wounds to his hand, criminal damage which relates to stab wounds suffered by police dog Finn, possession of a combat knife and possession of a BB gun.

Finn and his handler PC Wardell were carrying out a search in Stevenage following a call from a taxi company at 1.15am, where staff were concerned about a request they had received for someone to be picked up in Rowland Road.

Finn and PC Wardell were chasing a suspect into Denton Road, when they both subsequently suffered stab wounds. Dave received an injury to his hand and Finn suffered a wound to his head and chest. Finn underwent an emergency operation at a vets surgery yesterday and a police spokesman said this morning he is still very sore and still recovering, but has had a short walk.

PC Wardell will be reunited with him later today.

Four other people were arrested after the incidents.

A 17-year-old male from London who was questioned on suspicion of conspiracy to rob and conspiracy to supply class A drugs, has been released on police bail until November 17.

A 31-year-old man from Stevenage and a 36-year-old woman from Hitchin (who previously gave police a Luton address), who were questioned on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, have both been released on police bail until November 10.

Gayle Perryman, 35, from Rowland Road in Stevenage has been charged with a theft of £127 of goods from Domino’s Pizza on Tuesday, August 23. She will also appear for breaching court bail because she failed to attend probation appointments.

Chief Inspector for Stevenage Tannis Perks said: “We have received a number of calls in relation to the investigation and I would like to thank the residents of Stevenage who have been in touch offering information and providing assistance.

“If you haven’t already contacted police and have any information about the incidents overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, I would ask you to call the Herts Police non-emergency number 101 quoting crime reference number E1/16/7081.”

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.