Dog walkers have been recruited to play detective in reporting crime for the police.

More than 40 members signed up to the new Epsom and Ewell Dog Walkers Watch outside Mansion House, Nonsuch Park, on Saturday, February 16.

Epsom and Ewell neighbourhood team started the watch to ask pet owners to spot crimes like vandalism, graffiti and fly tipping and look out for people acting suspiciously.

PC James Doherty and PCSO Steven Fairs spoke to more than 100 people on Saturday and offered dog biscuits to well behaved dogs.

There was an unexpected delay when PC Doherty was called to deal with damage to a car in one of the car parks and take descriptions of the offender.

At one point PCSO Fairs also left to search for a lost dog loose on Cheam Road.

The scheme was originally created for dog walkers in Tandridge but is also open to joggers, cyclists or walkers who regularly do a route in their neighbourhood.

Epsom and Ewell Dog Walkers Watch is the second of its kind in the Surrey Police area.

A police spokeswoman said: "The scheme has raised awareness in the local communities and led to issues of anti-social behaviour and anti-social vehicles being reported to us, which may have been ignored or tolerated if the victims were not members."

Members are not asked to put themselves at risk but to go home and report suspicious and anti-social behaviour.

For more information contact the police team on 101 and ask for extension 30158 or email Epsom@surrey.pnn.police.uk