A police dog fractured his neck while chasing robbers in Watford.

Nero, a six-year-old German shepherd, was chasing four men along Field Road in the early hours of Thursday when he climbed over railings and fell 12 feet.

He was immediately taken to a vet, who said he had sustained two fractures to his neck.

The dog and his handler PC Clive Warncken were chasing the men, described as black and aged between 18 and 25, after a woman in her 30s was assaulted.

She sustained minor injuries to her eye and her handbag was also stolen at around 2.30am.

Nero is receiving on-going treatment and is currently in a stable condition.

Police have not made any arrests.