Duty horses injured at games

TWO police horses were injured while dealing with crowd disorder at football games in the Capital, new figures have revealed.

The injuries were revealed by a freedom of information request covering the period from October 2010 to September 2011.

One horse suffered a minor cut to the leg after a missile was thrown during crowd disorder.

The other sustained minor cuts after collapsing while policing trouble at a match.

Last month, it was revealed that Lothian and Borders Police is set to lose its mounted section after more than 130 years.

The historic unit has been recommended for closure, with the horses set to be transferred to Strathclyde Police as part of plans to save around £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.