Residents and visitors in Birmingham are being asked to follow a clear set of guidelines when encountering the region's newest police recruits – a team of mounted horses. West Midlands Police has formally issued 11 rules designed to protect the animals, their riders, and the public.
Successful debut at St. Andrew's
The newly established mounted unit recently completed its first major deployment in the West Midlands at a football match. On Saturday 13 December, all five horses attended the Birmingham City versus Charlton Athletic fixture at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park. The animals formed part of the safety and security operation for the game.
Police stated they used the match to acclimatise the horses to the stadium environment and its surroundings. While the horses themselves are experienced in policing football games, this was their inaugural deployment to a match within the West Midlands region.
The 11 essential rules for the public
To ensure safe interactions, West Midlands Police has published a list of mandatory rules for anyone near the horses:
- Always ask the rider's permission to approach and follow their instructions.
- Only approach from the front or side where both horse and rider can see you.
- Move slowly, calmly, and confidently, avoiding tight spaces.
- Stand to the side of the horse – never directly in front or immediately behind it.
- Never feed the horses or approach them with food.
- Only touch a horse with clean hands if invited by the rider, and wash hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately afterwards.
- Children must always be accompanied by an adult.
- Dogs must be on a lead, under control, and kept well away.
- Drivers must follow the Highway Code, drive slowly, give plenty of room, and be ready to stop. Do not sound your horn, rev your engine, or accelerate quickly after passing.
- Drones must not be flown near the horses.
- You must only touch the rider in an emergency. Touching them in any other circumstance may be a criminal offence.
A priority for welfare and safety
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said the unit's debut had been positive. "We were really pleased to see they got such a positive response from supporters, with many stopping for pictures and to talk to our officers," they stated. The force emphasised that "the welfare of our horses – along with the safety of their riders and the public - is our priority."
Inspector Nick Burton, Football Unit and Mounted Unit Manager, explained the unit's future role: "Police horses have usually been seen at higher risk football fixtures within the West Midlands area but now that WMP have our own mounted unit, supporters can expect to see them deployed as part of everyday policing duties." He confirmed this would include regular football fixtures, contributing to public safety and reassurance.
