Mare marks first year on the beat with Northumbria Police's mounted team of officers

A police horse who made history in her force by being the first mare to be signed up to its mounted section has marked her first year with the team.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The 11-year-old passed her intensive training course with flying colours and soon she was ready for duty, with this weekend marking her first 12-months on the beat.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She has been given a bag of carrots and awarded a special certificate to mark the milestone date.

Northumbria Police has celebrated a year since it welcomed Penelope to its mounted section.Northumbria Police has celebrated a year since it welcomed Penelope to its mounted section.
Northumbria Police has celebrated a year since it welcomed Penelope to its mounted section.
Read More
Meet the mounted police team who help hoof crime across the North East and beyon...

Sergeant Stuart Coates, who heads the team, says she adapted to life as a police horse quicker than any of her male counterparts.

He said: “She’s a natural.

"She’s taken to it far faster and with much more grace than any horse before her.

“We expected big things from her and she has definitely provided. She excels at everything she does – whether that’s policing large scale events or engaging with the community.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sgt Coates added: “It’s incredible to believe we waited 160 years to welcome a mare – Penelope is a real trailblazer and we have every intention of recruiting more mares to join our team.

"If they’re half as talented, professional and loveable as Penelope – we couldn’t possibly go wrong!”

Sgt Coates has encouraging people to say hello when they see PH Penelope and her stablemates, with a reminder a carrot or two never goes amiss with the horses.

All the latest updates from the team can be found on Twitter via @NPMounted.

A message from the editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

You can subscribe to this website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. SImply click ‘Subscribe’ in the menu. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here. Thank you.