Mounted police make first arrests

The police unit was reinstated after eight years

The mounted unit of Essex Police has made its first arrests for more than eight years.

The unit was axed in 1999 due to budget cuts but was reinstated last year, based at stables in Writtle, and went out on its first patrols last month.

The arrests in Tilbury involved two people who were held on suspicion of theft and released on bail.

Supt Jed Stopher said that the arrests reinforced the positive effect the unit has across the county.

He said: "This is an example of the real impact the mounted unit can have.

"I believe these arrests are the first of many and within a short space of time our young horses will grow in both experience and confidence, further enhancing their role."