MOUNTED POLICING
A generation after the last police horse left the region, West Midlands Police has rebuilt its Mounted Unit with renewed purpose, modern capability, and a powerful connection to the communities it serves
BACK IN THE SADDLE
Images courtesy of West Midlands Police
After more than a quarter of a century, the unmistakable sight of police horses has returned to the streets, stadiums, and communities of the West Midlands. What began as a cautious operational trial has evolved into a confident, fully re- established Mounted Unit that blends heritage with modern policing needs and reconnects the force with a tradition that once seemed consigned to history. The revival is not a nostalgic indulgence but a strategic
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investment in visibility, reassurance, and public engagement at a time when all three matter more than ever.
“The reaction from the public has been phenomenal. People love seeing the horses, and they create a natural bridge between officers and the communities we serve.”
The original West Midlands Police
Mounted Unit was disbanded in 1999, its horses rehomed with other forces and
its kit dispersed across the country. For many officers, the loss was felt keenly. Mounted policing had been part of the region’s identity since 1840, and its absence left a gap that was both practical and symbolic. When the force began exploring the possibility of reintroducing horses in 2025, the response from the public and from
officers who remembered the old unit was immediate and enthusiastic. The first five horses, Belgravia, Bruce,
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