POLICE are asking for the public's help to name their first-ever therapy dog.

West Midlands Police have welcomed a furry new recruit who will play a different role to the traditional police dog - and they want help from members of the public to name her.

The eight-week-old Maltipoo is set to be the force’s first ever wellbeing dog.

Maltipoos are a fairly new breed; with a small stature, a rounded head, and floppy ears, and they carry the appearance of a puppy for nearly their entire lives.

The force's new little one joined her new owner yesterday – but doesn’t yet have a name.

PCSO Demi Rook and Inspector Paul Van Veen from the Dudley partnerships team came up with the proposal for the four-legged new recruit after seeing how well it worked in other forces that have already realised the benefits of time well spent with a furry companion.

After training is complete, the pup’s handler – a trained mental health first aider - will bring the new recruit into school settings to help officers connect better with children. The pup will also be on hand to provide emotional support following difficult or traumatic incidents.

As the newest member of the partnerships team her role will be to support the wellbeing of the community, with her first deployments focused on helping vulnerable people as lockdown restrictions are lifted.

As the first ever West Midlands Police therapy dog, police bosses want her to have a meaningful name - and they want help from the public to decide what that name should be.

People are asked to say what name they would suggest and why. Entries can be emailed to dy_partnerships_team@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk.

The force will choose the best four and put it to a public vote.