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It’s official – police horses are back in West Midlands Police |
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Dear Resident,
For the first time in 26 years, police horses are back in the West Midlands.
After months of careful planning, specialist advice and trials using other force horses at local football matches over the past two years, our new horses have started patrolling the streets of Wolverhampton today.
Bruce (8) and Yonkers (9) visited parts of the city centre today, in the first of many patrols of Wolverhampton and Bilston.
They met with local officers and spoke to people who stopped to take photographs.
Our new horses arrived in the West Midlands on Monday 24 November.
After a week of settling into their new home, they are now ready to start official policing duties with riders, Sgt Hadley and PCs Dixey, Masterson, Preece, Pritchard and Smith.
The unit will have 12 horses ridden by two sergeants and 12 PCs. The running of the stables is managed by an equine manager and police staff grooms, including an apprentice who will earn as they learn to secure a nationally recognised qualification.
Our new Edgbaston stables will open in spring 2026. Until then, our horses are being housed in temporary accommodation
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.
We have worked with other police forces who also have Mounted Units to secure five healthy horses that have the right training and temperament for policing in the busy West Midlands. Nine other horses have been identified and are currently undergoing extensive health checks before moving to the West Midlands.
Six officers have already graduated from an intensive 16-week course in London. Three others are currently undertaking the course and two others are transferring from other police forces, with further roles advertised in the new year.
About our horses Belgravia (female), 8-years-old, bay-coloured, Clydesdale. 17 hands high (1.73m) Bruce (male), 8-years-old, grey-coloured, Irish Draught. 16.2 hands high (1.65m) Yonkers (male), 9-years-old, grey-coloured, Irish Draught. 16.2 hands high (1.65m) Yve (female), 9-years-old, chestnut-coloured, Irish Draught. 16.3 hands high (1.66m) Yvonne (female), 13-years-old, grey-coloured, Irish Draught. 16.2 hands high (1.65m) Staying safe around police horses Our horses are highly trained and their riders highly skilled.
The welfare of our horses – along with the safety of their riders and the public - is our priority.
You can help us by following these six simple rules when near our horses: Ask permission from rider to approach and always follow their instruction. Only approach the horse from the front or side where the animal and rider can see you. Move slowly, calmly and confidently, and avoid tight spaces. Stand to the side of the horse - never directly in front or immediately behind the animal. Never feed our horses or approach them with food. Only touch the horse with clean hands, if invited to by its rider. You must wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after touching the animal. Remember: Children must be always accompanied by an adult when near the horses. Dogs must be on a lead, under control and kept well away from the animals. Drivers must follow the Highway Code and drive slowly, giving plenty of room and be ready to stop. You must not sound your horn, rev your engine or quickly accelerate away once you have passed the animal. Drones must not be flown near to the horses. You must only touch the rider in an emergency. You may be committing a criminal offence if you touch the rider in any other circumstances. | ||
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