Coventry city centre visitors and shoppers gave a warm welcome to 2 wonderful working horses last week.
After months of careful planning, specialist advice and trials, the new West Midlands Police horses Yve, a 9-year old Irish Draught ridden by PC Smith and Bruce, an 8-year old Irish Draught, have started patrolling the streets of Coventry.
It’s been 26 years since police horses have been in the city.
Both horses toured familiar sites in the city centre and posed for photographs taken by enthusiastic shoppers – and even a newly married couple.
They are now ready to start official policing duties.
Cllr Abdul Salam Khan, Deputy Leader at the Council with responsibility for policing and equalities said: “It’s fabulous to see. We have such a close working relationship with our Police partners and the wonderful thing about the horses is that they really help build trust and confidence.”
Chief Superintendent Paul Joyce, responsible for policing across the whole of Coventry, said: “I’m really pleased to welcome Yve and Bruce to Coventry on their first ever patrol of the city.
“It’s clear to see that these are happy and healthy working animals with a record of policing everything from royal events, protests, major sporting events and crime hotspots.
"The horses will be stabled at our Tally Ho! in Birmingham and will serve the entire West Midlands - and even other police forces if needed."
Police horses are bred for their size, intelligence and gentleness, and trained to remain calm in challenging situations. Their height gives their PC riders the ability to see over crowds, while their size, speed and agility means they can easily move between obstacles and disperse large groups of people quickly.
The creation of West Midlands Police new Mounted Unit is made up of 12 horses ridden by 2 sergeants and 12 PCs.
The horses will be used regularly as part of routine local policing as well as deployed to major events and at weekends in town centres for ultra-high visibility patrols.
Assistant Chief Constable Mike O’Hara, from the Force’s executive team, is leading on the project to return horses to the force. He said:
“This is a moment in history for West Midlands Police as we once again welcome horses back into force.”
About our horses:
- Belgravia (female), 8-years old, bay-coloured, Clydesdale. 17 hands high (1.73m)
- Bruce (male), 8-years old, grey-coloured, Irish Draught. 16.2 hands high (1.65m)
- Yonkers (male), 9-years old, grey-coloured, Irish Draught. 16.2 hands high (1.65m)
- Yve (female), 9-years old, chestnut-coloured, Irish Draught. 16.3 hands high (1.66m)
- Yvonne (female), 13-years old, grey-coloured, Irish Draught. 16.2 hands high (1.65m)