Officers from the Lancashire Constabulary mounted unit have been carrying out active patrols in Blackpool as part of a push to increase visible policing in the town. The team recently tracked down and arrested a wanted man following a foot chase, highlighting the effectiveness of the horse-mounted officers in busy urban environments.
The increased presence is supported by £2m in government funding awarded to the region to help tackle antisocial behaviour. This initiative aims to provide more visible patrols to improve safety for both local residents and the millions of visitors who come to the area each year.
The mounted branch regularly deploys horses to assist with community safety and operations. Among the horses in service are Wiswell, who previously assisted in the arrest of a high-risk offender during an operation in Accrington, and Lawson. Lawson is a five-year-old Clydesdale named in memory of the late Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson, who served as a senior officer for the force.
The unit has demonstrated success in these types of operations recently. In January 2026, officers on horseback in Blackburn successfully closed the distance on a suspect attempting to flee on foot, resulting in a swift arrest. The Lancashire Constabulary continues to use these high-visibility patrols as a key part of their strategy to maintain order across the county.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
