Police horses have returned to the West Midlands for the first time in 26 years, with four-legged crime fighters Belgravia, Bruce, Yonkers, Yve and Yvonne now on the beat.

After months of planning, specialist advice and trials using other force’s horses at local football matches over the past two years, the new horses equine recruits started official duties with riders, Sgt Hadley and PCs Dixey, Masterson, Preece, Pritchard and Smith.

The horses will be stabled at the force’s Tally Ho! site in Edgbaston, Birmingham, where there will have access to grazing and equine vets.

They will serve the entire West Midlands, and other police forces if needed.

“This is a moment in history for West Midlands Police as we once again welcome horses back into force,” said Assistant Chief Constable Mike O’Hara, who led the project to bring back the horses.

“We have been working on this project for over a year and the plans have been carefully considered.

“New jobs for both police officers and police staff have been created as part of the plans – including an apprentice groom.

“We are really grateful for the help and advice from World Horse Welfare, which has helped us to ensure that our working animals will be well cared for, right from the start.

“The return of horses is great news for the communities we serve as the Mounted Unit will be a massive boost for neighbourhood policing and public engagement.”

Horses were first involved in policing in the West Midlands in 1840, but mounted units were disbanded in 1999 as they were seen as old fashioned and costly.

However, the force said their recent experience of using horses at football matches demonstrated that just six police horses could manage crowds that usually take one police support unit of more than 20 officers.

This means freed-up officers can be assigned to other roles, preventing and investigating crime or supporting victims elsewhere.

They added that horses are an excellent tool in increasing trust and confidence among members of the public, and have been useful when supporting victims and witnesses and for getting people to engage with officers.

In total, the unit will have 12 horses ridden by two sergeants and 12 PCs. The stables will be run by an equine manager and police staff grooms, including an apprentice who will earn as they learn to secure a nationally recognised qualification.

The horses will be used regularly as part of routine local policing as well as deployed to major events and at weekends in town centres for ultra-high visibility patrols.

Meet the team

West Midlands Police has worked with other forces with Mounted Units to secure five suitable horses – Belgravia, Bruce, Yonkers, Yve and Yvonne – for policing in the busy West Midlands.

Nine other horses have been identified as potential matches for the force and are undergoing extensive checks before moving to the West Midlands.

Six officers have graduated from a 16-week course in London, three officers are currently undertaking the course, two more officers are transferring from other forces, and further roles will be advertised in the new year.

The first five horses include:

  • Belgravia, an eight-year-old bay Clydesdale who is 17hh
  • Bruce, an eight-year-old grey Irish Draught who is 16.2hh
  • Yonkers, a nine-year-old grey Irish Draught who is 16.2hh
  • Yve, a nine-year-old, chestnut Irish Draught who is 16.3hh
  • Yvonne, a 13-year-old grey Irish Draught who is 16.2hh

The force said that the welfare of their horses and the safety of their riders and the public was their priority.

“I am delighted to welcome back West Midlands Police’s dedicated Mounted Unit as horses return to the region on a full-time basis for the first time since 1999,” said Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster.

“The horses will contribute to my priorities of building community policing and trust and confidence. Not only will new jobs be created, but the support of police horses in relation to crowd management, will ensure highly-skilled officers can be assigned to other roles.

“I echo ACC O’Hara’s comments that this is a moment in history for West Midlands Police and I am looking forward to welcoming the new horses.”

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