Spare a thought this festive season for Lancashire’s police horses who have a busy festive schedule ahead of them.
Based at the Lancashire Constabulary’s headquarters in Hutton, just outside Preston, the horses and their handlers will be policing Boxing Day fixtures and the January games. They also have duties on New Years Eve and during busy shopping periods in Preston city centre.
The last two months have already been a busy period for the animals, patrolling student marches across the county, keeping watch over recent EDL march and attending the Lancaster homecoming parade.
The horses, all named after Lancashire towns and cities, are tended to every day by police staff grooms to keep them ready for action. This includes feeding, grooming and exercising as well as ensuring all equipment is in good condition.
On Christmas Day four grooms will be keeping the horses company and giving them their Christmas treat, a carrot or apple alongside their breakfast.
Inspector Anne White, head of the mounted unit said: “The horses are just one example of how the Constabulary is prepared to protect our communities over the festive period.
“Boxing Day is usually the busiest day for the horses as they are used as a high visibility policing presence amongst the crowds who turn out for the local football matches but at least they get Christmas Day off – unlike many of their two-legged colleagues.
“Officers will be working around the clock to ensure that residents are kept safe and that crime remains low in Lancashire.”
Police horses go out on crowded events as standing at nearly 2 metres they give officers a height advantage, it is not only easier to see over large crowds on horse back but also to see further. They also provide effective ways of shepherding and dispersing crowds.
Image credit to eisenbahner