City’s mounted police unit to be closed
Officers and horses from the force's mounted section on patrol
LOTHIAN and Borders Police is set to lose its mounted section after more than 130 years, it was revealed today.
The unit has been recommended for closure, with the horses transferred to Strathclyde Police as part of plans to save £52,000 a year.
The mounted section, based at the Fettes HQ, has five horses along with seven officers who are sent out on regular patrols as well as policing events such as football matches.
Under the plans, the animals would move to Strathclyde’s mounted section, based at an Ayrshire farm, and only return to the Lothians for specific duties, while the officers would be deployed elsewhere. Police chiefs said the move was aimed at helping meet its tight budget, as well as planning ahead for the single Scottish police expected to come into being as early as next April.
But the proposals today sparked concern that the redeployment would reduce services in the community, which have included mounted patrols in areas such as Princes Street Gardens and the Meadows, and lead to further centralisation of resources.
Along with saving the £52,000 a year spent on food, care and equipment for the horses, the force would no longer need to pay for a replacement horse carrier costing £100,000.
In a report to the police board on the proposal, Chief Constable David Strang states that the mounted section has been in existence for “over 130 years in various guises” but that a review was needed to consider the sustainability of the service.
Superintendent Douglas Lynch, branch commander for special operations, which includes the mounted section, said: “We’re going through a root and branch review of all areas of service delivery, not only for our force but also looking at what can be joined up naturally with other forces.
“Only ourselves and Strathclyde have a mounted section. There was an option to disband the section, but we did not perceive that as the way to go. Strathclyde have a set-up four times the size of ours in terms of numbers of animals. A lot of people have a great affection for seeing the officers and horses out and about, but our overriding responsibility is to deliver services while making savings.”
Supt Lynch said that consultations were continuing with the Strathclyde force over the suggested move while the “everyday” work of the mounted section was being examined to gauge which services would be lost.
He added: “We would keep our stables at Fettes so horses could be kept there while being deployed in the force area. Officers from the mounted section could continue to train with the horses to keep up their skills. They could then ‘buddy up’ with Strathclyde officers for duties in Lothian and Borders.”
A former mounted police officer said: “We used to have special constables who borrowed horses from the Royal Scots Greys at Redford Barracks, and it started off from there. It was always grey horses they used to have.”
Scottish Labour justice spokesman Lewis Macdonald said: “I would hope this proposed decision can be justified on policing terms. I understand the need for savings but the first priority for the chief constable is to ensure the services being delivered meet the needs of the area.”
Councillor Iain Whyte, police board convenor, said: “The chief constable has given me assurances that the transfer of the mounted section will not diminish the services in Lothian and Borders, but it’s something the police board will have to look at carefully. But given the savings needed, and with the Scottish Government’s decision to move to a single police force, the mounted section is obviously an area which can be looked at.”
A Strathclyde Police spokeswoman said the force could not comment on the proposed move, which was a matter for Lothian and Borders Police.
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Comments
There are 24 comments to this article
Page 1 of 2
james(1)
Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 12:10 PMThe mounted section is not needed. Yes they can play a part in policing but at too high a cost. We may have had them for 130 years but like the police whistle they are no longer a necessity. Plus this shows how decision will be made in the future when we get one police force. All going to Strathclyde and asking them to help.
Snoopy1
Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 08:50 AMWhat a sad day for the mounted section of the Lothian & Borders Police,also where will i get my grade A1 fertilizer for my garden,maybe the city chambers as there is a few councilors who talk and produce a load of crap,i say this the police board should review this decision, as i know there is one old nag on the board who talks more crap and produces more crap than the whole mounted section put together.and that is the DepLeader of the Edinburgh Council,need one say more.
panayiotis
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 10:56 PMIn central Toronto we have a superb mounted police unit that is very visible and admired by all . They are used not only for crowd control but at all events where crowds will be involved.Because they sit so high up they can see and report occurrences that the foot patrol cannot see. I agree ours can look intimidating if they want but I think this makes a lot of people have second thoughts before they go and do something stupid. Having the mounted police and because they are liked they promote and advance respect for all Toronto police.
Free2B
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 10:53 PMHas anyone else notice how active the police are if there is money to be made... ? I saw a letter from the police to a company who uplift vehicles involved in crashes. This letter demanded ''10% of the company's profits'' or they would be removed from the list of 'preferred contacts' they phone. This means when in a crash, the nearest isn't called, but the one who bribes them is... because bribe is surely the only word for it. The days of our respected 'bobby' on the beat seem so long ago Get in touch EEN if you want this story...
SHEEBACAT
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 09:05 PMthis is stupid idea these horses are the best for crowd control if they send elsewhere how long will it take to get them to edinburgh for crowd control these so heads of the police dept are brainless my grandad was in the mounted and my dad was in the traffic section they will turning over in theirs graves taht way the police dept. is run these days just give crooks the keys to the city and we can save more money??????
jdships
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 08:32 PM5 Curious Yellow Another crazy idea ! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dial 999 just now and give an address or postcode and invariably you are asked " where is that" ? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What hope will we have of a " rapid response" with a single force ? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ " ..............but our overriding responsibility is to deliver services while making savings.” The Super is having a laff of course!!
Dragonlord
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 04:51 PM16# Relocated? How much of the £52K is going to cover that expence? Can't see how they can claim savings if they havn't taken this into account.
freeesian
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 03:48 PMHow many policemen does it take to break an egg?? None, it slipped on the stairs
Niebiosa tam sa naprawde nieskrzydlowe ludzie tam
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 03:02 PMIf the mounted section is needed, they will be transported from the west and deployed. They will not be "lost", only relocated
Afredo Garcia
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 02:27 PMI don't think it is the salaries of the m0ounted coppers that is the problem here rather the pensions of recently retired chiefs.
Eman wellknown
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 02:05 PMI wonder how many senior officers positions are being cut, my guess none
freeesian
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 01:50 PMDood. You really dont want to have retired police inspctors wandering about
Thomas the Tank
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 01:29 PMOh dear - stand by for a Discrimination case! The 'My Little Pony Club' girlies won't like going back out to do real police work! And as others have observed, 52K is little more than the cost of keeping one cop on the street - it'll cost far more than that to ferry the Gee-Gees back and forward for Football & Rugby matches.
jamtart
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 01:19 PMKeep the horses or is this just another move to run everything from Glasgow? They (GFA) are shafting the Hearts at every opertunity. So why not do all of Edinburgh. By the way I live in OZ and in my suburb crime goes down by a huge percentage when the mounted guys are out there.
abner doubleday
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 01:09 PMEmploy the horses to pull the trams as they originally did.
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