ONE year after police horses were reinstated in Essex they are continuing to have a good effect.

The mounted unit returned to the county last December after being axed eight years ago.

It is now made up of eight horses, nine police officers, a stable manager, a groom and facilities at Writtle College, near Chelmsford.

Three horses – Bella, Biscuit and Patrick – and nine officers have completed their training. Three more horses – Rosie, Toffee and Carlsberg – are still learning the ropes, while Duncan and Lifton have only just joined.

Sergeant Dave Martin, of the unit, said: “A police officer on horseback can be more approachable than an officer on foot.”