Mounted police are specially trained officers on horseback. The horses and associated vehicles are shown here.
Mounted officers seen parading outside York Minster for the funeral of a serving officer. Horses and riders are in formal uniform, distinctly different from the high visibility uniforms in a public order role.
Two Met Police mounted units walking down The Mall
The rear
Two white horses stop for a break with their Met Police riders.
A closer look.
In this shot a brown and a white police horse make their way onto Whitehall in central London against the flow of traffic. The officers wear riding hats with police logos and use whistles to attract attention.
These two horses are with West Yorkshire Police and are seen here in ceremonial dress. The officers and horses are dressed according to their tasking. Here they are escorting a military parade. If they were patrolling a city centre at night, they would be in regular uniform including high visibility clothing.
T54 PRH is Humberside Police’s Mounted Police Transporter. It was spotted in North Yorkshire Police’s area. Note the absence of any blue lights, as it will be used in a pro-active role, being stationed where large crowds will gather:
The side view of this lengthy vehicle.
The access point for the horses.
The rear and offside of the truck in use.
SF07 CKV This Iveco Eurocargo in used to transport police horses in the Strathclyde area. Because the horses are deployed in advance of trouble and cannot be transported at speed, the vehicle is only fitted with minimal blue flashing lights (in the front grille).
BX56 WMC is a Metropolitan Police (London) Iveco horse box. This large truck is fitted with rear-wheel steering to help it get around the congested roads of the capital. Notice that it doesn’t have any blue flashing lights as the vehicle is used pro-actively and needs to drive steadily with horses aboard.
LY05 KNE This large Saab truck has been converted into a horse transporter and mobile police office. It is used by the City of London Police. The rear drops down to provide a ramp for horses’ access and the front portion is an area for the riders.
N46 KWR This is a West Yorkshire Police 9-ton Iveco Truck, used by the Mounted Section.
YJ05 AHA This is another West Yorkshire Police truck used by the Mounted Section. It is a much newer Mercedes in the same livery as previous mounted police vehicles, with blue bodywork around the roof and side skirts. This 11-tonne truck also has the corporate West Yorks. yellow stripe.
The rear view. The rear half of this vehicle houses the horses, whereas the front is an office area for officers to be briefed, get changed and take breaks. Notice the lack of blue lights on this police vehicle.
The nearside view, giving an indication of the length of this truck.
OU04 FZC is a Mercedes Ateco truck specially built for Thames Valley police mounted section. This massive truck has accommodation for the horses in the rear and for the crew in the mid section. It is also equipped with powerful spotlights and equipment storage lockers.
YN53 HLE This Mercedes Benz Atego is a horse transportation truck for South Yorkshire Police’s Mounted Department. Inside is a large area for the horses, as well as a smaller area for officer briefings or tea breaks. It is in a dark blue colour, with no emergency warning equipment.
Two officers emerge from the rear on their steeds. The horses are equipped with bright yellow coats to increase their presence on the roads. The officers wear riding hats with police markings rather than the traditional Custodian helmet or peaked cap.
Here are a couple of mounted patrol officers on football duties in Portsmouth, Hampshire.
These mounted officers can get a good view in the crowds and can also use their horses to break up groups of people if required during an event in Leeds.
Here are some WYP horses training for a riot situation, with debris scattered on the ground. When on patrol, the rider and horses will be wearing high visibility clothing.
R824 CUA The horses are taken to and from locations (football grounds for example) by a fleet of horse boxes. A R regestration Volvo is pictured here.
Two police horses from Humberside Police. Notice the horse’s high visibility stripe below the neck with ‘police’ written on.
R515 GAG is a Humberside Mounted Police vehicle carrying the standard Humberside colourscheme.
The rear of the Mercedes truck showing the horse ramp.
Here we have a police horse from West Yorkshire Police.
A second view showing two of the mounted officers.
Two white Northumbria Police horses are shown here on patrol in Sunderland.