West Midlands Police mounted unit moves into permanent home
West Midlands Police’s mounted unit has moved into its new permanent headquarters at the force’s Tally Ho training centre in Birmingham, bringing its horses and officers closer to the communities they serve.
The purpose-built stables replace temporary accommodation in Solihull and place the mounted unit in the centre of the force area, improving deployment across the West Midlands.
Inspector Nick Burton, who leads the unit, said the move marked an important milestone following the reintroduction of mounted policing to the force.
He said: “The move brings the mounted unit out of our temporary stabling solution in Solihull to purpose-built stables at the centre of the force area, making it easier to deploy to the communities we serve across the West Midlands.”
The new facility includes American-style barns, training and exercise areas, offices and enhanced security, while horse welfare has been a key consideration throughout the project. The horses have access to turnout areas at the site and regular grazing land elsewhere, with advice provided by the charity World Horse Welfare.
Sergeant Alex Hadley said the horses had settled well into their new surroundings as the force continues recruiting and training additional mounted officers ahead of an official opening later this summer.
West Midlands Police reintroduced mounted policing last year for the first time in more than two decades, citing the horses’ effectiveness in neighbourhood engagement, public order policing and major events.