Police horses spotted at Birmingham German Christmas Market as they return after 26 years to combat football thugs and rots

West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford said the 12-horse Mounted Unit will be operational from next spring. 

It will be the first time horses have been used by the force since 1999.

Back then using mounted officers was seen as “old fashioned in a modern police force” and the unit was disbanded. 

But just over a quarter of a century later, horses are returning to the frontline - and they've been spotted at the Birmingham German Christmas Market. 

The cost of keeping each horse is around £5,558 per year - not including stable fees - adding around £67,000 to the force's annual bill.

They will be funded by the horses being rented to neighbouring police forces as well as possible sponsorship deals. 

The decision to reform the mounted unit is a response to last summer’s riots outside asylum hotels and a rise in football violence. 

Last week eight people were arrested following Aston Villa’s Europa League clash with Young Boys. 

Several officers were hurt and Villa striker Donyell Malen suffered a cut after he was struck on the head by a plastic cup. 

This week the force came under scrutiny over evidence it provided which led to the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Europa League match against Aston Villa last month. 

Police chiefs claimed it was too “high risk” to allow the Israeli fans to attend the match amid community tensions over the Gaza war. 

The accuracy of the intelligence used to justify the decision was questioned by the Home Affairs Select Committee on Monday (December 1). 

The force says six police horses can do the same job as 20 officers on foot during a riot.

This week five horses, Belgravia, Bruce, Yonkers, Yve, and Yvonne, arrived at the stables in Tally Ho! in Edgbaston, Birmingham. 

A further seven horses will join the unit over the next few weeks.  

Assistant Chief Constable Mike O’Hara 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.  

“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.”   

Horses have been part of policing in the West Midlands since 1840.   Kay Weale became the first female mounted officer in the West Midlands in June 1985.  The last police horse to serve WMP retired in 1999 when the Mounted unit was disbanded.  

A force spokesperson said: “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.  It was the right decision for that moment time.”