Watch Essex Police dog snag criminal after Rainham A13 chase
Michael Burke, 24, abandoned his car and fled on foot after driving at speeds of more than 100mph, at times travelling on the wrong carriageway.
But his escape attempt was quickly brought to an end by police dog Kaiser, who tracked him down in swampy grassland near the roadside in Rainham.
Body-worn camera footage shows German Shepherd Kaiser holding onto Burke’s arm as officers move in, with Burke heard shouting: “No, no, please.”
Burke was later jailed for 14 months and disqualified from driving for five years and four months.
He was also ordered to complete an extended retest after admitting dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and using a vehicle without insurance. The offences took place on January 14, 2025.
The arrest formed part of a standout year for dog handler PC Martin Swain and his canine partner Kaiser, who have now been recognised nationally.
The pair have been awarded the National Police Chiefs’ Council Police Dogs General Patrol Dog Award following a series of successful deployments in challenging circumstances.
PC Swain, who has served with Essex Police for 19 years, has spent the past decade as a dog handler and trained five-year-old Kaiser from the start of his policing career.
Speaking about the award, he said: “We were lucky enough to be nominated for the work we’ve done over the past year, but a lot of that is down to Kaiser.
“He’s an exceptional dog – I just hold on to the end of the lead. We work really well together, and he’s done some unbelievable work.”
