Why police horses are back on patrol in Solihull town centre

Two police horses have returned to Solihull town centre as part of an intensive policing operation targeting anti-social behaviour and crime across the borough.

Yve and Belgravia were out on patrol as part of Operation Advance, with West Midlands Police also deploying neighbourhood officers on high-visibility patrols.

Police said the mounted unit had previously been brought into Solihull to patrol areas affected by anti-social behaviour, and the horses were back as part of the latest action.

The force is targeting anti-social behaviour, disorder and offences affecting local residents, while encouraging people to speak to officers if they see them out in the town centre.

The latest patrols form part of Operation Advance, a force-wide initiative that brings additional officers and specialist teams into local areas for concentrated enforcement and community engagement.

What is Operation Advance?

Operation Advance sees neighbourhood teams supported by specialist police resources to tackle crime and issues that matter to local communities.

During an earlier operation in Solihull in February, mounted officers and police dogs were deployed in the town centre, while officers also carried out enforcement activity and community engagement.

West Midlands Police reported seven arrests during that February operation, alongside weapons and drugs seized following several warrants.

Those figures relate to the February operation and have not been announced as results of the latest patrols.

Why use police horses in Solihull?

Mounted officers provide a highly visible police presence and can engage with people in busy public spaces.

The West Midlands Police Mounted Unit was reintroduced after more than two decades without a force-operated mounted unit. Its horses now support neighbourhood policing, public-order operations and deployments across the region.

The unit moved into purpose-built facilities at Tally Ho in Edgbaston earlier this year, allowing officers to deploy across the West Midlands.

Police have encouraged Solihull residents and visitors to say hello if they see officers during the latest patrols.

The force has not specified how long the current operation will continue, which individual hotspots are being targeted or whether the latest patrols have resulted in arrests.

Residents can find local policing updates through the West Midlands Police website.