A Police officer on a horse patrolling the streets of Avon and Somerset has often been a reassuring sight to the communities – an imposing and impressive presence.

The mounted section of Avon and Somerset Constabulary was formed over a century ago in 1899. Horses were first used by police in Bristol in 1880 when they were hired from local stables. They now form part of the Operational Support Unit and cover the whole of the force area.

The section today has 12 horses and as Avon and Somerset is the only force in the west country with a mounted section, they are often used to assist surrounding constabularies.

The horses are all half to three-quarters bred bay geldings at least 16.2 hands high. The breeding combines the qualities of a thoroughbred with the strength and substance of a draught animal.

Police horses are purchased at around four years old. Their training commences upon arrival and develops through regular district patrols and the introduction to public order training and football matches. Within a year they will be capable of performing all the regular duties of an operational police horse.

The police officers who ride these horses already have experience in general police work. The section consists of one sergeant, ten constables and 4 grooms. All officers have completed a police equitation course on riding skills and stable management.

The duties of the section can be varied and widespread, officers support all Avon and Somerset districts and departments in prioritised crime and public order initiatives and regularly patrol during the hours of darkness. Their high profile presence is used as an effective way of preventing and detecting crime, the combined height of the horse and the mounted police officer can be a very imposing sight.

In addition, Mounted officers are involved in the policing of many high profile events, such as Glastonbury Festival, Badminton Horse Trials and the Bristol Balloon Fiesta, where they come into contact with members of the public from all sections of the community. Mounted officers are also used for searching for missing persons, for football matches and for ceremonial duties, where they provide an escort on royal visits and to the Lord Mayor.

Due to the popularity of the Mounted section an annual open day is now held every two years during June at Bower Ashton in Bristol.