A police officer and his dog have been commended after tackling a burglar who had armed himself with two metal bars.

PC Wayne Mills and police dog PD Cody were handed their official commendations by Chief Constable Francis Habgood at the Thames Valley Police training centre yesterday.

On September 1 the pair attended reports of a burglary in process in Forsythia Close, Bicester.

When they attended they were confronted by a man who had armed himself with two metal bars.

The man confronted PC Mills and hit him over the head with one of the bars while he tried to detain him.

PD Cody took hold the other metal bar to prevent the man from using it and PC Mills was able to detain him, despite suffering a serious head injury.

PC Mills said: "Cody is a dog of few words, but I can say I am grateful to be recognised by the Chief Constable for the work myself and Cody have done.”

Speaking after the ceremony Mr Habgood said: "It gives me great pleasure to present these commendations to PC Mills and PD Cody.

"Cody is a specially trained police dog, to help prevent and detect crime, and his actions were exemplary.

“This commendation recognises and praises the professionalism of both PC Mills and PD Cody, and the dedication that goes into the training of a police dog.

"In giving this award, we also mark the important role of the animals who support us as a police force and recognise that they too are part of the police family.”

A 35-year-old man from Oxford has been arrested on suspicion of casing grievous bodily harm in connection with the incident and has been bailed until January 13.