MERSEYSIDE Police have welcomed nine new recruits to its dog section.

The German shepherd puppies were born in November and are now five weeks old.

The puppies are just at the beginning of their police career. They will now be placed in the homes of volunteers, who care for them while they undergo puppy training.

At eight to nine months old, they will be then assigned to a dog handler. Dogs live at home with their handlers as well as working alongside them.

It is thought that the two female puppies from the litter will placed in a volunteer's home until they reach maturity and can join the force's breeding programme.

Once they reach 14 to 16 months old, they will then start their formal training.