Concern for police horses as unit set to close

The former owner of a horse sold to Gloucestershire Police has raised concerns about his future as the force's mounted unit is set to close.

Melissa Bailey sold Prince to the police in 2023 when she moved abroad with her husband, and said she is now worried about him and other animals being used "as a commodity".

Prince is part of the force's mounted unit which is being scrapped as part of plans to save £12.3m, with some of the horses set to be transferred to West Midlands Police.

Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blythe said the welfare of the horses was of "paramount concern" to Gloucestershire Police.

Ms Bailey said she rescued Prince from "a fairly dire place".

"His eyes were sunken and he was just a shell of himself. We spent about a year rehabbing him and letting him enjoy being a horse again," she said.

"When Gloucestershire Police first got in touch with me and asked if we'd be interested in selling to them I said absolutely not, no way was I letting my horse be in the middle of a riot.

"But they spent a lot of time with us explaining that in Gloucestershire it's much more of a ceremonial role. We met his rider and the wider team who were phenomenal.

"But It was always on the condition that at the end of his career with Gloucestershire Police he would be returned to us. That was one of the reasons we eventually agreed for him to go there," she said.

Ms Bailey said she is concerned that Prince won't be the "right fit" for the West Midlands force.

"He's scared of large vehicles and he also has mild Shivers, a neurologic condition that affects some horses," she said.

"It means he has to have a certain amount of turnout every day and his work has to be fairly low impact."

Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth said the mounted unit was a "fantastic resource", but the constabulary didn't need it "in the same way as it was first envisaged" and they could bring horses in from neighbouring forces in the future if needed.

"The horses and their welfare are of paramount concern to Gloucestershire Constabulary," she said.

"In the negotiations that are under way, that will take some time, we will be looking at an independent assessment around their wellbeing and making sure that the transfers that are taking place are done in the interest of the horses and in discussion with everyone who has an interest in them."

In a statement Gloucestershire Constabulary said: 'We have a dedicated contact from their [West Midlands] Legal Services Team assigned to the matter, who has been and will be in regular contact with Ms Bailey in an effort to resolve her concerns.

"West Midlands Police will be appointing an independent vet to conduct health checks on the horses."

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