Bristol and Somerset police horse patrols to tackle crime
Police horses will be used in parts of Bristol and Somerset in a bid to deter summertime anti-social behaviour.
It is a first for Avon and Somerset Police which said that, historically, community problems rise in the summer.
Four horses will patrol the Southmead and Hartcliffe areas of Bristol, and two will patrol Bridgwater, Somerset, for four shifts a week until September.
The force said the horses would be able to reach areas where cars cannot go and also engage with members of the public.
PC Kim Parr, from the mounted section, said: "The same horses will be going to the same area so that the children and local residents can recognise us.
"With the horses people are friendly towards them and love to come over to say hello.
"We can go anywhere that a normal police officer on foot can go - down back alleys, we can look into gardens - it's a really accessible way of patrolling the local communities."
The force said the idea was a pilot with the three areas having been selected from recommendations made by local police officers.