Chief to report on future of mounted police services

CHIEF Constable David Strang is set to deliver a report on the threatened closure of the mounted section at Lothian and Borders Police.

The unit has been recommended for closure, with the horses transferred to Strathclyde Police as part of plans to save £52,000 a year.

However, there is a proposal that the force and its Strathclyde counterpart shares in the delivery of mounted services in the Lothians.

The report is also expected to address animal welfare issues arising from the changes.

The 130-year-old mounted section, based at the Fettes HQ, has five horses and seven officers who are sent out on regular patrols and who police public 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.