POLICE horses have returned to Solihull for the first time in 26 years.
A total of five horses have been welcomed to the ranks at West Midlands Police following an operational decision made by Chief Constable Craig Guildford.
After months of careful planning, specialist advice and trials using other force horses at local football matches over the past two years, the new horses have started patrolling the streets of Solihull.
After a week of settling into their new home, Belgravia, an eight-year-old Clydesdale was ridden by PC Pritchard, and Yvonne, a 13-year-old, Irish Draught was ridden by Sgt Hadley visited parts of Solihull as part of their first official duties.
They met with local officers and spoke to people who stopped to take photographs.
It is the first of many patrols of Solihull.
Chief Superintendent Richard Harris, who is responsible for policing across the whole of Solihull, said: “I’m really pleased to welcome Belgravia and Yvonne to Solihull on their first ever patrol of the town.
“Judging the reception they received from people just minutes into their first patrol, I know that they will be made very welcome.
“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 the force’s Tally Ho! site in Edgbaston, and serve the entire West Midlands – and other police forces if needed.
They will have access to grazing, specialist vets and everything else they need for a happy, healthy working life.
Police horses are bred for their size, intelligence and gentleness, and trained to remain calm in challenging situations.
Their height gives their 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 unit will have 12 horses ridden by two sergeants and 12 PCs.
The running of the stables will be managed by an equine manager and police staff grooms, including an apprentice who will earn as they learn to secure a nationally recognised qualification.
The new Edgbaston stables will open in spring 2026 but until then, the horses are being housed in temporary accommodation
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, said: “This is a moment in history for West Midlands Police as we once again welcome horses back into force.
“We have been working on this project for over a year and the plans have been carefully considered. We are confident that our Mounted Unit will generate income from loaning the horses to other forces and in support of this work, we’re also exploring sponsorship options that could help cover food and other expenses.
“New jobs for both police officers and police staff have been created as part of the plans – including an apprentice groom.
“We are really grateful for the help and advice from the World Horse Welfare charity, which has helped us to ensure that our working animals will be well cared for, right from the start.
“The return of horses is great news for the communities we serve as the Mounted Unit will be a massive boost for neighbourhood policing and public engagement.”
The last police horse to serve WMP retired in 1999 when the Mounted unit was disbanded.
At the time they were seen as old fashioned in a modern police force entering the new millennium and the way they were managed back then was costly.
