Today I complained at the police station...

Batgirl

Batgirl

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There is a new police station that has been built 200 yards from my yard and we are in a very horsey area (5 yards that I know of in the surrounding half a mile). They got up an running a few weeks ago and since then several police cars have sped past me on my (luckily) bombproof horse.

Now I am not police bashing, these cars were not going blues and twos and having to slow down going to an emergency just speeding through the countryside on daily business.

I plucked up the courage to go to the station and ask if they could raise awareness among the police using the station as if the police speed past the horses then the public will think it is OK too. Lady was very nice and said she would pass it in, I wait with bated breath!
 
If they contact you, how about offering to show them the horses at your yard and how to handle them in the event of an accident involving one? Well done for going in, it was a good thing to do.
 
'tis a good idea cptrayes, I did offer to do a training session on horses on roads (I have done one before for a small group) could combine the two :)
 
Its just an idea........ but you could get hold of their "Accident Prevention Officer" (they should have one) and ask him/her to pop out to your yard and mebbe talk to one of two riders about some of their scary experiences on the roads. Even better get them to walk/cycle alongside you as you hack out and experience scarey traffic firsthand. (OK so I know some of you will say get 'em on board the horse as well....... but probably not an option to start with!!! LOL).

You might also be prepared by getting a few of the BHS statistics to hand about road accidents involving horses, plus a few of their posters to hand out to the officer. There was an awful situation on here not long ago and they had a poster I think.

Yes can see why you "complained" at the police station; and so now you've made contact IMO this would be an excellent opportunity - in a non-confrontational way - to get the cops on your side on this one; at the very least I'd ask if a PCSO could come out to the yard - mebbe to advise on crime prevention etc but also buttonhole them about road safety etc. But the best thing would be for the Accident Prevention Officer or a dedicated Traffic Officer to get involved with you and other horse riders in the district.

You and I, and all of us, pay council tax: so OK let's bend ears when appropriate heh?? There are all sorts of issues you could bend their ears about, not just the road safety issue but also solo hacking, lone females at the yard, crime prevention, tack theft etc etc. Its just about making them realise that horse riders exist!

Good luck anyway. I must say the cops around here always slow down for us; we met a police car out hacking today and the lady officer slowed down nicely for us.
 
I would put it in writing. The people on the desk are often only civilians, and may try and do something, but don't have much clout. Speak to the guy at the top, you shouldn't be worried, your not being funny, just pointing out some dangers.
 
cptrayes said:
If they contact you, how about offering to show them the horses at your yard and how to handle them in the event of an accident involving one? Well done for going in, it was a good thing to do.
Click to expand...

Good idea cptrayes, my old YO in Holland used to run regular workshops for the Police and Fire service in how to handle and lead horses in an emergency.....We used to love Thursday mornings at that yard;-)
 
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