A TENACIOUS police dog tracked down two suspected criminals to their hiding place - a plastic box.

The pair were found lying top and tail in a small plastic container in Crowborough. They were squeezed into the unit – measuring just 2m x 60cm x 60cm – at Sussex Country Gardener in Tunbridge Wells Road, Mark Cross.

The search followed the theft of a car from an address in Pevensey Road, Polegate, which was subsequently crashed and abandoned at the site, about 20 miles away, shortly after 1am on Thursday September 22.

Police Dog Spud, a six-year-old German Shepherd, led his handler PC Steph Barrett, of the Surrey and Sussex Police Dog Unit, from the scene of the wrecked black Vauxhall Signum through the grounds of the garden centre and into the kitchen were the suspects were discovered.

This was after her colleague Sergeant Jim Smith, of the Uckfield Neighbourhood Response Team, had responded to a report of a collision at the garden centre, having earlier pursued the stolen vehicle and lost sight of it due to its excessive speed.

PC Barrett explained: "Sgt Smith arrived at the garden centre first and stated that the stolen vehicle had crashed quite spectacularly down an embankment and through the metal garden centre fencing. He believed the suspects may be somewhere in the grounds, as prior to my arrival he had heard banging and voices.

"I deployed Spud and approached the vehicle with caution. I let him sniff inside, as at that point we could not confirm if there was anyone still in it or trapped. Spud indicated to me that someone had been here but that there was no one still within the vehicle.

"Spud tracked to the side of the garden centre where we found a door which was insecure. This led into a kitchen area and restaurant. Sgt Smith followed me at a safe distance.

"I shouted a warning to inform the suspects of my intention to release the dog, and what they should do if the dog was to find them."

Near the cafe Spud picked up the scent and started barking when he found the box, where the suspects were arrested.

A 21-year-old man from Eastbourne, arrested on suspicion of burglary, taking a motor vehicle without consent, failing to provide a specimen for analysis and dangerous driving, has been bailed until November 9 pending further enquiries.

A 28-year-old man from Eastbourne, arrested on suspicion of burglary, conspiring to take a motor vehicle without consent and dangerous driving, has also been bailed until November 9 pending further enquiries.