'Why we're helping police rein in rural offenders'

Julie Hyam is one of the community safety mounted volunteers, who are working with Humberside Police

Volunteer horse riders have joined forces with Humberside Police to help tackle rural crime.

Called community safety volunteers, the mounted help will work with the rural task force to strengthen police visibility, promote community engagement and enhance safety in rural areas.

Julie Hyam, who is one of the volunteers, said: "It seemed a good opportunity to contribute to the community and make people aware that speeding drivers can cause serious accidents."

Supt Doug Blackwood added: "The team has already patrolled over 520 miles of the East Riding, reported 11 road-related offences and identified and provided support to vulnerable residents in isolated areas."

Horses Tids, Henry and Ted on patrol in their high-visibility riding gear

The force said the East Riding contains vast areas of countryside that cannot easily be patrolled by car and is too large to cover on foot, so volunteers using their regular riding routes would act as the police's eyes and ears when in the area.

The volunteer team is made up of 10 trained riders so far.

Ms Hyam has had her horse for 14 years and said she had seen a lot of dangerous driving while riding road side.

She said: "We're quite used to people driving quickly past us but we shouldn't have to, it can cause serious accidents."

Geraldine Birks, 62, who has been riding since she was four, said cars had driven by her in the past and touched her stirrup.

She said: "We cover hundreds of miles per month and I feel we're a conduit between the police and the public.

"People might want to report something to us that maybe they don't want to do that to the police."

PC Susan Scott's advice about driving past horses is to pass slow and wide at a maximum speed of 10mph and with a two metre gap

Road policing officer PC Susan Scott said: "It's something that they've wanted to do that was brought to us as a collective, it's not just the police, it's riders that have come forward.

"They want to get involved, and they want to give their time."

The unit has plans to expand the scheme to cover North and North East Lincolnshire next year.

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Leo Hammond said it offered a "unique service to parts of the force that may not be seen often by patrolling officers".

He added: "Tackling road safety and rural crime are key areas of importance for the police and crime commissioner and this scheme will further help the efforts Humberside Police are making in these areas."

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