Thames Valley Police unveils new stables with more capacity to expand mounted unit
The new stables allow for ten horses
Brand new stables have been unveiled in Buckinghamshire, as Thames Valley Police is hoping to expand their mounted unit.
The previous stables, located at the police station in Milton Keynes, could only welcome up to eight horses, while their new home offers capacity for two more.
Located in the countryside, the horses further have more space to relax and run around in, an essential part of their wellbeing.
PC James Metcalf, of the Mounted Section at Thames Valley Police, said: "Our horses love to work and they're very focused and they're good at what they do, but likewise they like to be horses as well so when they go out in the field they like to eat grass and muck around like normal horses."
Thames Valley Police is one of few forces across the country with such a significant mounted unit.
For that reason, the horses are often deployed in other counties when needed, such as to manage fan crowds at football events or to dissolve and manage protests.
"Football matches is a big part of our role, but we also get involved in protests or demonstrations..."
PC Metcalf said: "Our horses are very good at doing high visibility patrolling and when we do that they're really impactful, because lots of people come to see us."
"They're very good at breaking barriers with people that wouldn't ordinarily speak to police."
"Football matches is a big part of our role, but we also get involved in protests or demonstrations, and we also get involved in rural events such as Royal Ascot."
Just like officers, the horses undergo thorough training, tests and vetting to ensure they can deliver on the job.
While the eight horses already part of the team have proved crucial in the community work they do, some are soon to be retired.
The force is further hoping to recruit another two horses to fill up the spaces available and grow the mounted unit.