Rural crime and wildlife officers have been armed with new equipment to enhance animal welfare and public safety.

Headcollars and lead ropes for equines will better equip police to respond swiftly and safely when called to incidents involving loose animals.

30 of the headcollars have been distributed to police stations located in rural areas including Retford, Harworth and Newark.

They can also be found in more urban areas – such as Broxtowe and Ashfield – where horses have previously been reported on roads in urban areas.

The headcollars feature QR codes that, when scanned, provide officers with essential guidance on catching and leading horses, along with contact information for Bransby Horses and other relevant animal charities.

The force has also been provided with treat buckets to aid police in approaching and safely dealing with all livestock.

This could be a horse that has escaped onto a main road which not only poses a safety risk to the animal, but also to other users of the road.

Similarly, when officers are on a visit, they could come across livestock in the way preventing them from completing the job they were called there to complete.

Officers have been working closely with local charity Bransby Horses to reduce equine-related incidents and rural crime, while enhancing road safety for local communities.

Cobbs Country Store has donated this vital equipment as rural officers work to enhance their rural and wildlife crime offering.

Juliet Webber, Nottinghamshire Police’s rural crime and wildlife crime partnerships manager, said:

“We aim to enhance the wellbeing of all animals – whether it be horses, sheep or cows - as well as ensure the safety of our officers and road users with this new equipment.

“With support from Bransby Horses, we have trained officers from across the force in the practical handling of loose horses, the legislation surrounding them, and each officer has gained valuable contacts for those times when a horse finds itself in need.

“Combined with Cobbs County Store, it’s been partnership working at its very best, and the provision of headcollars will further promote our goal to improve our response and understanding of all animals we may encounter during day-to-day policing.”

Rachel Jenkinson, equine welfare manager at Bransby Horses, added:

"Bransby Horses is dedicated to creating positive impacts on the lives of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules. Through our work of 'Sharing Knowledge and Influencing Change,' we were very pleased to have the opportunity to work with Nottinghamshire Police on this project.

“To date, the officers have learnt about how to understand equine behaviour, work safely around unknown horses, and approach and apply a headcollar. We look forward to continuing to work with Nottinghamshire Police and supporting any future equine-related incidents."