Plans for mounted police unit to be based in Birmingham for first time in 25 years

West Midlands Police said the horse team – disbanded in 1999 – could play a key role in fighting crime in city centres and residential neighbourhoods.

Mounted officers have been commonly used in the region in recent years at events like football matches.

But the West Midlands force has had to reply on teams from elsewhere after its own unit was axed by then chief constable Sir Edward Crew.

It has applied for council permission for a stable block at the Tally Ho Training Centre in Pershore Road, Edgbaston.

If approved, the force said in response to a Freedom of Information Act request that the unit could be operational by the end of this summer.

It has already advertised among serving officers for a mounted section sergeant and constables.

“The Tally Ho site is utilised by West Midlands Police as a training college and the site provides an ideal location for the mounted unit to be based,” a Birmingham City Council report said.

“Mounted police are being increasingly used at major sporting events in the region and the site is well located as the police horses would be able to walk from the site into the city centre, rather than being transported from other parts of the country.”

The force said the proposal would provide a “cost effective method” of policing football fixtures and public events as well as “significantly enhanced visibility and reassurance”.

“WM Police have stated that, from a public order perspective, horses have a unique presence which can impact upon crowd dynamics and reduce the risk to the public,” the report continued.

“Police have emphasised that seeing mounted officers in city centres and neighbourhoods would create a very visible police presence along with engagement and reassurance opportunities providing a major boost to neighbourhood policing.”

It acknowledged some concerns had been raised over noise and odour.

“The applicant explained waste would be stored in a trailer that is fully enclosed and would be removed from the site on at least a weekly basis,” the report said. “It is important to stress that muck would not be stored in an open pile.

“As working horses, West Midlands Police would want to ensure the highest welfare standards for its horses and with dedicated staff employed there would be a high frequency of mucking out in the stables to ensure smells from the stables are minimised.

“They would also ensure any horse waste within the ménage, turn out areas and yard is removed promptly to the waste container.”

The report said the scheme would “significantly enhance” the service West Midlands Police could provide in maintaining public order at major events.

It said the proposal would ‘boost’ the force’s ability to effectively police local neighbourhoods.

“The scheme raises no concerns in relation to matters of design, amenity, transportation or flood risk,” the report added.

It was recommended for approval, subject to a legal agreement, and will be considered on Thursday, July 3, by the city council’s planning committee.