In a significant shift in policing strategy, West Midlands Police has announced it will bring back horses to frontline duties for the first time in over a quarter of a century.
The force confirmed its new 12-horse Mounted Unit will become operational from spring 2025, marking a direct response to recent public disorder and a rise in football-related violence.
A Strategic Response to Modern Disorder
Chief Constable Craig Guildford revealed the initiative, which comes with an annual running cost of approximately £5,558 per horse, excluding stable fees. This adds roughly £67,000 to the constabulary's yearly expenditure.
The decision to reinstate the unit follows major incidents, including last summer's disorder outside asylum accommodation and violent clashes around football matches. Notably, eight people were detained after Aston Villa's Europa League match against Young Boys, where multiple officers were injured and Villa forward Donyell Malen was struck by a projectile.
Police commanders argue that six police horses can achieve the work of 20 officers on foot during periods of civil unrest, providing a formidable and mobile presence for crowd control.
Funding and Historical Context
To offset costs, the force plans to generate income by hiring the horses to neighbouring police services and is exploring commercial sponsorship deals to cover expenses like feed.
Assistant Chief Constable Mike O'Hara stated: "This is a moment in history for West Midlands Police as we once again welcome horses back into force." He emphasised that the project, over a year in planning, will also create new jobs, including an apprentice groom position.
The move represents a full reversal from 1999, when the mounted unit was dissolved after being viewed as "old fashioned in a modern police force." Horses have been part of policing in the region since 1840, with Kay Weale becoming the first female mounted officer in June 1985.
The Horses Arrive at New Stables
The practical steps towards the unit's launch are already underway. This week, the first five horses – named Belgravia, Bruce, Yonkers, Yve, and Yvonne – arrived at their new stables at the Tally Ho! complex in Edgbaston, Birmingham.
A further seven horses will join them in the coming weeks to complete the unit. The constabulary believes the horses will not only be a powerful tool for public order but also a valuable asset for neighbourhood policing and community engagement.
The announcement coincides with scrutiny of the force's intelligence procedures, after it provided evidence leading to a ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from a Villa match last month, a decision questioned by the Home Affairs Select Committee.
