Up to 40 police horses to go as Met Police reduces mounted section to combat £260m funding gap

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2XCPJMB Mounted Metropolitan Police on patrol along Wapping High Street on 13th June 2024 in London, United Kingdom. Statistics show that much of the time the Metropolitan Police Mounted Branch spend most of their time patrolling as opposed to dealing with public order issues. The Metropolitan Police Service, formerly and still commonly known as the Metropolitan Police, is the territorial police force responsible for the prevention of crime and law enforcement in Greater London. The Met was recently put into special measures following criticism over its poor performance.
(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

The Metropolitan Police is likely to lose nearly half of its horses, and over half its mounted officers, as the result of a “tough choice” needed to resolve a £260m funding gap.

The London force is proposing to reduce its mounted section by an estimated 69 officers and 10 staff – and up to 40 of its horses will be “retired, redeployed to other forces or suitably rehomed”. The Met is also proposing to close up to five of its stables, leaving at least two open.

Eleanor Jones
Eleanor Jones
News editor

Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.