It's right for Eastern

Eastern's Divisional Commander is delighted that his area will be home to the mounted section.

With 30 years experience as a police officer, Chief Supt Phil Thomson is adamant that having the unit at his disposal will make a great deal of visible difference to the towns and villages in his area.

The horses will without a doubt play a big part in keeping public order, but their day to day duties will mean them being out on patrol throughout Wrexham and Flintshire.

"It was important for us to get the go ahead from the Police Authority so that we can enhance community policing. Eastern division already devotes more resources to community policing than any other basic command unit in the country and we are always looking for ways to add to that," said Chief Supt Thomson.

Initial trials with the horses were around crime reduction, particularly violent crime reduction, but their presence in towns across North Wales showed they were a hit with the local communities.

"We put officers out on patrol for a couple of hours and they are approached by  a small number of people. On the other hand, when the horses were on community policing patrols in Wrexham, they were mobbed by the public," he explained.

Chief Superintendent Thomson is also certain that setting up the mounted section makes financial sense, especially when the unit is partially paid for by the partnership between the police and local businesses which includes national businesses based locally.

A great sponsorship opportunity
Seven household names have agreed to sponsor the North Wales Police mounted section to the tune of £45,000.

Who are they? All will be revealed in due course, however each of the four horses has got a main sponsor for the veterinary side and one for the food and tack.

Tom Barham, the force Partnership Funding Manager said: "We have got broad support in the community and the fact that businesses are eager to show their support demonstrates they believe it's a good thing to be associated with. It proves that sponsoring the unit makes commercial sense"

"It also shows the public of North Wales that it is costing them as little as possible," he said, adding that the City of London and South Wales Police already have sponsored police horses.

All will be revealed about the identity of the sponsors later in the year, but Tom is keen to get more companies on board so if you are interested...phone him on 0845 6071001 (Welsh language line) or 0845 6071002 (English language line).

"The enthusiasm with which people have jumped on this project has given me the confidence that what we're doing is right," he said.

"The community is behind us, businesses are behind us and the local media are all for the project. "

Shopping for horses
The state of the art mounted unit will be operational early next year and the responsibility for making sure the preparations are thorough, fit for purpose and on time lies with Srgt Bethan Davies.

A life long lover of horses, she has been involved in researching the project from the very beginning and has already picked up tips from most of the mounted sections already in existence in England and Wales.

The unit will be based in the stables at the National Trust property in Erddig, Wrexham and now all she has to do is buy four suitable horses, acquire some heavy duty tack and recruit two grooms and four officers.

"This is my dream job," said Sgt Davies, "I have a long shopping list ranging from the design of the stable yard to the buying of footwear - all of which have to conform to health and safety regulations."

The derelict stable block, which comes complete with bats, barn owls and other wildlife, will be refurbished to ensure that the working yard not only goes hand in hand with assisting the environment, but also provides an added tourist attraction to country estate.

The chosen horses, once trained by an outside force, will be faced with all sorts of situations on the roads.

"Horses are flight animals - they run when they're frightened, but we need them to stay calm and listen to their riders. We need them to have brains and stature," said Sgt Davies.

"Horses work on so many senses - if an officer walks down a road or a car travels past at tea time no-one sees them, but if a horse walks by the sound of the metal shoes on tarmac will draw people to the window. Horses do it for all age groups," she added.

As for the riders, the adverts are already out internally within the Force and the successful candidates will be expected to go on a 20 week training course before being allowed out on the streets.

And when it comes to the saddling up, Sgt Davies has to have everything purpose made to ensure the five hour a day patrols are comfortable for both officers and horses.

Suitable horse for sale?
Wanted -  a horse that meets the following requirements:-
Height  - 16.2 hands or above
Build - medium to heavy weight hunter with good bone structure.
Age - 4 to 10 years old
Temperament - must be calm
Geldings or mares will be considered.

Anyone who may have a horse that fits the bill is asked to contact Sgt Bethan Davies in Wrexham Police Station on 0845 6071001 (Welsh language line) or 0845 6071002 (English language line).

Horses patrolled the streets of North Wales in the run up to last Christmas.

When we went out on the streets of Wrexham recently the general feeling was that a mounted section will be very acceptable.

80-year-old Ron While believes that the presence of horses does stop unruly behaviour. "Changing social attitudes are so great now that I am totally in favour of having horses. My only concern is what it's going to cost and where the money is coming from," he said.

But her four-year-old grandson Degan Tucker is really excited about the prospect of seeing horses out on the streets every day.

19-year-old Vincent Morgan, formally of Llanfairfechan but now living in Wrexham said: "The idea of having horses on the streets is actually quite smart. Cars can't get everywhere and it should make things easier for the police." He added: "Friday and Saturday nights here are terrible it should make it more pleasurable to come out. Horses are more intimidating than a police officer; because they're so big people have more respect for them."

"The kids love them, but it depends how long that will last - it's like a kid with a new toy when the novelty wears off they lose interest."

"There is such a lot of trouble people are afraid to go out. The presence of horses will instil more confidence - let's hope we feel safer in town."

"We see PCSOs around the area, but the horses with riders in fluorescent jackets will make people more aware because they have got a presence. The culture is now so different - in the past we were taught to respect the police now people are not afraid of the police so they need something to protect them."

Mrs Bielawski added: "The police are trying to do their best, but with government cuts it does make their job very difficult. It all comes down to money."

As a visitor to Wrexham, 17-year-old Sam Williams agrees that a mounted section is a good idea. "Seeing an officer on horseback may not only deter people from behaving antisocially, but it may prevent opportunist thieves."