West Midlands Police celebrate opening new stables - and issue message on respecting mounted unit
Police horses returned to the West Midlands last December after more than 25 years
West Midlands Police has officially opened new stables for it's mounted unit.
The purpose built, state-of-the-art facility sees the police horses now situated at Tally Ho Training Centre in Edgbaston, putting them at the heart of the region.
Seven police horses, ridden by two sergeants and 12 PCs, will be based at the newly-built stables - it's been over 25 years since the previous unit closed in 1999.
Scott Green, Acting Chief Constable for West Midlands Police, said the mounted unit is a great investment in the region's policing.
"It's a real asset to the force but more importantly, it's a real asset to the public," he said.
"I hope the public can see our officers on horseback at sporting events, at protests and out an about in communities."
Acting Chief Constable Green said the reintroduction of the mounted unit has already lowered the cost of policing sporting events across the West Midlands.
The new site, which is covered by 24/7 security, features a spacious yard suitable for manoeuvring two large horse boxes, a menage for exercising and training the horses, the stable area to house the horses and kit, and offices for briefings and training.
A formal display of the horses to celebrate the opening took place in front of crowds, including former mounted unit officers, at the base on Tuesday (August 4).
One of those was Steve Gwilt who was a mounted officer until 1991.
"I'm delighted - it was a sad day when it was disbanded all those years ago," he said.
"It's obviously going to be different because time moves on, but personally I'm delighted and I wish them all the luck in the world."
Respecting the mounted unit amid reports of harassment and assault
Amongst the celebrations, acting Chief Constable Green reiterated the importance of respecting the police horses and the officers who ride them.
Last week, the force reported numerous incidents of unacceptable behaviour towards mounted unit officers.
Criminal investigations are ongoing in some cases, including the sexual assault of one of the mounted officers.
"It's abhorrent," said Acting Chief Constable Green.
When interacting with police horses, members of the public are asked to approach from from the side or the front, never behind, and to always ask permission from the officer to engage with and touch the horse.