PC Wayne Mellings and his canine companion set off in pursuit of the teenage suspect as other officers comforted the victim.

PC Mellings said: “This was typical of JJ: he is fearless and has a real nose for sniffing out evidence and catching criminals.

“JJ managed to follow the scent to a commercial estate then lead us to some bushes where the suspect was hiding in the undergrowth. He was still holding the young girl’s mobile phone.

“JJ played a vital role in catching the offender and recovering the stolen phone; he fully deserves this recognition.”

The canine was presented with the PDSA Commendation as part of the charity’s Animal Awards Programme.

Rebecca Thorne, Senior Vet at the charity’s Aston Pet Hospital, said: “PDSA has a long tradition of honouring animals and JJ’s story really epitomises the value that animals bring to our lives.