For the first time in over a quarter of a century, police horses are back on the beat in Birmingham. The historic return comes as West Midlands Police responds to last summer's widespread riots and a worrying surge in football-related disorder.
A Mounted Response to Modern Disorder
The force has confirmed that a new 12-horse Mounted Unit will be fully operational from next spring, based at the Tally Ho! stables in Edgbaston. This week, the first five horses – named Belgravia, Bruce, Yonkers, Yve, and Yvonne – arrived at their new city home. A further seven will join them in the coming weeks.
This marks a significant U-turn for the force, which disbanded its mounted branch in 1999. At the time, horses were considered an outdated resource for a modern police service entering the new millennium. Now, police chiefs argue their value in crowd control is irreplaceable, stating that six police horses can perform the same role as 20 officers on foot during a riot.
Costs, Controversy, and Community Tensions
The decision to reinstate the unit follows a turbulent period. It was prompted by riots outside asylum hotels across the UK last summer and increased violence linked to football matches. Recently, eight people were arrested after Aston Villa's Europa League match against Young Boys, where officers were injured and Villa striker Donyell Malen was struck by a plastic cup.
The force has also faced scrutiny over its use of intelligence. It recently provided evidence that led to a ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending a Villa match, citing high risk due to community tensions around the Gaza war. On Monday, December 1, the Home Affairs Select Committee questioned the accuracy of that intelligence.
Maintaining the unit carries a significant cost, with each horse costing around £5,558 per year to keep, excluding stable fees. To offset the estimated £67,000 annual bill, the force plans to loan horses to neighbouring forces and is exploring sponsorship deals to cover food and other expenses.
A New Chapter in a Long History
Assistant Chief Constable Mike O'Hara hailed the move as "a moment in history for West Midlands Police." He emphasised that the plans, over a year in the making, will also create new jobs, including an apprentice groom position.
"The return of horses is great news for the communities we serve," O'Hara said. "The Mounted Unit will be a massive boost for neighbourhood policing and public engagement."
Horses have been part of policing in the region since 1840, with Kay Weale becoming the first female mounted officer in the West Midlands in June 1985. The last police horse retired when the unit was closed down in 1999, a decision a force spokesperson said was "right for that moment in time." For the challenges of today, Birmingham is once again turning to a traditional form of policing.
