MOUNTED POLICING
Yonkers, Yve, and Yvonne, arrived in late 2025. Their arrival marked the beginning of a phased return that will eventually see a dozen horses and a full complement of specialist officers and grooms. This followed months of operational testing, during which WMP borrowed horses from neighbouring forces to support football policing and major events. Those deployments proved decisive. Mounted officers were able to manage large crowds with far fewer personnel than traditional Police Support Units, offering a vantage point and mobility
natural bridge between officers and the communities we serve.” That instinctive warmth has long been one of the quiet strengths of mounted policing. A horse softens the edges of uniformed authority, invites curiosity, and creates a moment of connection that can open the door to trust. Football policing has been one of the
clearest demonstrations of the horses’ value. Their early deployments at fixtures
“Mounted officers give us a vantage point
you cannot replicate. They help us spot issues early, guide supporters safely, and move through crowds with ease.”
that officers on foot simply cannot match. The public reaction was equally compelling. During early tours of town centres, parks, and community spaces, the horses drew crowds wherever they went. Families stopped to meet them, children asked questions, and officers found themselves engaged in conversations that would never have happened during a standard foot patrol. Deputy Chief Constable Scott Green summed up the mood when he said, “The reaction from the public has been phenomenal. People love seeing the horses, and they create a
across the region showed not only their effectiveness in crowd management but also their ability to set the tone for the day. Inspector Nick Burton, who oversees football operations, noted that mounted officers “give us a vantage point you cannot replicate,” allowing them to spot developing issues early, guide supporters safely, and move through crowds with ease. Supporters responded positively, often stopping to stroke the horses, pose for photographs, or ask about their training. The presence of the animals helped create a calmer, more
approachable atmosphere, even in high- energy environments. The revival of the unit has also reconnected the force with its own history in unexpected ways. In January 2026, a ceremonial breastplate, one of the original pieces of kit worn by West Midlands Police horses before the unit’s disbandment, was returned to the force after being discovered at Thames Valley Police. PC Chris Harriett, who found the item during a move, said he felt it was only right to return it “to its rightful home” as the Mounted Unit was being re-established. The breastplate, embossed
with Queen Elizabeth II’s cypher, had been carefully preserved for more than two decades. Chief Superintendent Sarah Burton accepted it on behalf of the force, confirming that it will be displayed at the new stables at Tally Ho! in Edgbaston, offering a tangible link between past and present.
The new unit is being built with long-
term sustainability in mind. The force has planned for mutual aid income from supporting other forces at major events, explored sponsorship opportunities to offset feed and care costs, and created
19 | POLICE | FEBRUARY | 2026
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