Meet the human CCTV: a PCSO with a memory for faces so sharp he has apprehended more than 130 suspects in the last year alone with his eagle eyed talents. Community officer Andy Pope has been dubbed West Midlands Police's 'Memory Man' for his astonishing ability to spot criminals simply by memorising their faces. He spends hours every week poring over stills taken from CCTV and images from police briefing systems before hitting the streets of Birmingham to seek out troublemakers. So far, Andy's unique crime-tackling technique has led to the arrest and conviction of thieves, sex offenders and people wanted for violent crimes. In one remarkable case he even recognised a serial robber who walked past him in the city centre a whole year after his image had appeared on BBC's Crimewatch programme. The 34-year-old, who works with the Safer Travel team policing public transport routes, is now to be honoured with an award for police staff member of the year. Andy said: "With Safer Travel I spend a lot of time in Birmingham and on arterial routes into the centre. A lot of offenders do pass through city at some point and, when they do, I want to be able to recognise them.
WITH a paw in the air and his tongue hanging from his mouth, it is clear to see that this little groundhog is struggling to wake up and leave behind the comfort of his burrow .
PAWS for thought as you feast your eyes on this rare bear bathing session .
With one hand rested on his belly and the other propping his head up, this lazy lizard takes an afternoon break .
An Italian photographer travelled to Chile where he visited several star-gazing sites, home to some of the world's most advanced telescopes, located in the spectacular setting of the Atacama desert .
IN a galaxy far, far away, this collection of stunning interstellar formations will leave you STARSTRUCK .
SWIMMING slowly towards the shore, a small group of bottlenose dolphins arrive for breakfast at a beach in Western Australia .
A trout manages to escape the jaws of a hungry cormorant - only to find itself back inside the bird's long beak .
UNDERWATER and above-water seaside shots show the best of British beach-life .
A diver looks like a minnow as she swims alongside a gigantic whale shark, the largest species of fish on the planet .
A tiny puppy who lost his front legs after being hit by a train has been given and new LEASH of life with a set of wheels .
A once bustling gold rush town in Mono County, California now stands completed deserted .
