Campaigners to march over police cuts

Humberside Police is due to close the unit at Walkington, near Beverley, earlier than expected, on July 1, to save £500,000 in a cost-cutting move.

But campaigners, who have raised 2,000 signatures on a petition, will march from Beverley Racecourse on May 26.

Mike Dickenson, who runs a pet shop behind the police stables, believes the mounted section could be made viable and pay for itself.

He said officers had been to see him to try and put him off holding the march. But Mr Dickenson – whose business does not supply the force – insisted: “The numbers don’t stack up – it’s not as if they have to make the horses redundant. They could keep the horses on for a minimal cost. I have given them figures to go on and they won’t discuss it – there has got to be transparency.”

He added: “I think there will be a broad spectrum, from all walks of life (on the march) – we could even see a few police officers.”

There has been a “lot of interest” in taking on the horses – ranging from seven-year-old Irish draught horse George, to a bay gelding Harvey, the oldest at 16.

In a statement Humberside Police said: “The likelihood is that the section will not be operational beyond July. This is because the staff have, for the most part, been successful in securing other posts in Humberside Police. We are currently in the process of making sure the horses go to good homes – these are likely to be other police forces.”

Police have said they could buy in mounted officers from forces, including West and South Yorkshire, on the “few” occasions they are seen as an operational necessity.