Back in the saddle - return of police horses

MOUNTED UNIT RESTARTED IN BIRMINGHAM AFTER A 25-YEAR BREAK

- JAMES CARTLEDGE News Reporter

Police horses can now be seen on the streets on Birmingham after returning to the West Midlands force for the first time in 25 years

THE first police horses to be based in Birmingham for more than 25 years have arrived at their new city home.

West Midlands Police chief constable Craig Guildford previously announced that a 12-horse Mounted Unit would be operational from next spring. It will be the first time the force has used horses since 1999.

At that time, the use of mounted officers was deemed “old fashioned in a modern police force” and the unit was disbanded.

The annual cost of maintaining each horse is around £5,558 - excluding stable fees - adding roughly £67,000 to the force's yearly bill.