Mounted police riders are at the centre of a West Midlands Police warning after videos showed people approaching horses and asking if they could pet them. In some clips, the contact went further, with people filmed stroking and touching the officer’s leg. A 36 year old man has been charged with sexual assault and is due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court in August.
Nick Burton warning
Nick Burton, the force's mounted unit manager, said the officers are used to public interaction and often stop for photos. He said: "Our horses and riders love being out and about interacting with people, and we're really pleased to see the positive reaction they get."
He added: "That said, we will never tolerate unacceptable behaviour towards them, and we are taking appropriate action against that." Burton also said: "Our mounted officers are highly skilled and trained in dealing with a variety of situations on horseback and are happy to chat and stop for photos where they can - we just need people to behave safely and respectfully around them."
West Midlands Police investigations
West Midlands Police said two separate investigations relating to officers being inappropriately touched were ongoing. That is the immediate police response behind the warning: the force is not treating the online trend as harmless horse-focussed attention, but as conduct that has already led to formal investigation.
The warning also draws a line between normal public contact and physical contact with the rider. Police advised that officers on horseback should only be touched in an emergency. In any other circumstance, touching a rider may constitute a criminal offence.
Birmingham Magistrates' Court
The charge already brought gives the warning practical force for anyone who thinks the interaction stops with the horse. A man has been charged with sexual assault after allegedly touching a West Midlands Police officer on horseback in an inappropriate manner, and the 36 year old man is due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court in August.
The open question is how far the trend has spread online and how many people have taken part. For now, the force has put the public on notice that mounted officers may welcome conversation and photos, but not touch except in an emergency.
