MOUNTED POLICING
new roles, including an apprentice groom, to support equine welfare and training. A purpose-built facility, due to open in 2026, will provide modern stables, grazing areas, and training spaces, ensuring that the horses’ welfare remains central to the unit’s operations. This approach reflects a clear intention. The Mounted Unit is not a sentimental revival but a practical, forward-looking asset. National context has also shaped the decision. His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services highlighted the value of mounted units during the national disorder of summer 2024, urging forces to strengthen their preparedness for future unrest. Although the West Midlands did not experience disorder, its officers supported other forces, and the reintroduction of mounted policing positions the region ahead of future guidance. The horses offer a flexible, highly visible resource that can be deployed quickly and effectively in a wide range of scenarios. Yet, for all the operational
arguments, the return of the horses resonates most strongly on a human
20 | POLICE | FEBRUARY | 2026
level. Mounted policing has always been about more than height and horsepower. It is about presence, reassurance, and the subtle work of building trust in public spaces. It is about officers who become instantly approachable and communities who feel seen, heard, and connected. It is about heritage, continuity, and the quiet symbolism of a tradition restored. As the horses settle into their new
routines and the unit continues to grow, their presence is already reshaping the landscape of policing in the region. They are becoming familiar figures in town centres, at football grounds, and in community spaces, offering a blend of tradition, practicality, and quiet authority. Their return signals a renewed commitment to community-centred policing, a recognition of the value of visibility and approachability, and a belief that some of the most effective tools in modern policing are also among the oldest. The West Midlands Mounted Unit is back, not as a relic of the past but as a confident part of the future. For officers, supporters, and communities alike, it feels like a homecoming.
THE NEW MOUNTED UNIT AT A GLANCE
THE HORSES: Belgravia, Bruce, Yonkers, Yve, and Yvonne form the first group of a planned 12horse unit.
THE TEAM: Two sergeants, twelve constables, and specialist grooms will staff the unit, supported by an apprentice groom role. OPERATIONAL STRENGTH: Mounted officers manage large crowds efficiently, offer early visibility of emerging issues, and provide highimpact reassurance patrols. COMMUNITY IMPACT: The horses attract families, spark conversations, and help officers build trust in a natural, approachable way. HERITAGE: A ceremonial breastplate from the original unit has been returned and will be displayed at the new Tally Ho stables. NEW FACILITIES: A purpose-built stable complex opens in 2026, designed around equine welfare and training needs.
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