Watch out criminals! The reindeer squad is after you

Countering a worrying tundra crime wave is easier with these antlered animals than snowmobiles or other vehicles, say police. Criminals fleeing into remote areas would be chased by police on sleighs, according to a proposal now under active consideration by the Interior Ministry in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug.

The aim of using reindeer is to be able to chase law-breakers who also flee to isolated Arctic villages using the same animals. In an age when police in all countries compete for hi-tech solutions with powerful cars and helicopters, this is seen as a back to nature solution.

Of 163 crimes in the first nine months of this year, 127 were committed by people from indigenous ethnic groups in the far north of Russia. Most were household crimes committed by drunk people, including disorderly conduct, fighting, theft.

'Criminals often hide in the tundra, and other hard to reach places using reindeer and the cops do not always have the opportunity to pursue them there', a ministry source told Izvestia newspaper. 'The same problem arises with the delivery of the suspects to the police station.'

In future, they will be taken handcuffed on sleighs pulled by reindeer, according to the plan.

Interior Ministry spokeswoman Irina Pimkina said: 'Of force we have snowmobiles, but we must understand that the equipment is not always reliable. 

'A snowmobile can break down or get stuck in the tundra, but the reindeer will keep running. Reindeer would be useful for local police officers to patrol the remote areas. In addition to maintaining order, our police provide assistance to locals and evacuate sick people from the tundra.'

Reindeer on police service qualify for a special diet. 

Each will be fed with 0.5 kg of oats, 1 kg of hay, 1 kg of bread from a mixture of top quality rye and wheat flour of the 1st grade, and 6 kg of moss.