THE deputy Mayor of London for policing has pledged to offer magistrates training on how to deal with cases involving dangerous dogs.

Kit Malthouse today announced that officers from the newly created Met Police Status Dogs Unit will teach magistrates to recognise different breeds of dogs and how to apply legislation effectively.

He said: "We are dealing with weapon dogs as a major priority because they are dangerous, and in certain circumstances, are no less a killer than a gun or a knife.

"That is why I have been driving through changes within the Met which have included the setting up of a specialist unit to tackle this menace.

"Training magistrates to apply the existing law is a positive step forward in speeding up the time it takes to deal with dangerous dogs and save millions of pounds of taxpayers money."

Reports of dogs being used as "weapons" in impromptu fights have increased substantially in recent years, and Waltham Forest is the second biggest hotspot in London, behind Lambeth.

This week the Guardian revealed that the number of people admitted to Whipps Cross suffering from dog bites has increased year on year since 2006. There are now five cases a week.