Cumbria Police – Mounted Volunteers
In October we expanded our Mounted Volunteer reach down into South Lakes thanks to funding from Cumbria Neighbourhood Watch. These latest recruits join our team which currently includes our Eden Mounted Volunteers who have completed a total of 239 hours so far this year.
Our Mounted Volunteers patrol chunks of the rural countryside they are familiar with, and are a familiar face within their local communities. They also support us in patrolling hotspot areas following reports of anti-social behaviour, damage, poaching and thefts. They have supported searches for missing persons and get involved on nights of action targeting travelling criminals.
We supported Op Dark Knight last month, and linked in with The British Horse Society to identify areas which have previously received reports of incidents involving horses. Information signs have been placed in these areas to improve awareness for drivers and in turn the safety of riders. We also worked with Happy Hooves Riding Center, Penrith and Sea View Riding School Walney raising awareness of road safety on rural roads. With the clocks changing and less hours of daylight available it is even more important to make sure that as vulnerable road users, pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, you can be seen when on the roads. Riders worked alongside Rural Crime Team officers to give advice to other road users if needed.
Our newest Mounted Volunteers have been busy visiting Levens Primary School and Crosscrake Primary School, along with their local PCSOs to talk to the children about the importance of safety on the roads, from seatbelts to high vis and bike helmets. One of our new Mounted Volunteers has also completed her BHS Ride Safe award and has been out patrolling her local area. Lakes Riding Club has supported the Mounted Volunteers and club members in conjunction with Cumbria PFCC by offering the Ride Safe Award to enable them to cascade this learning.
The areas covered were Walney, Skelton (Penrith), Alston, Garrigill and Crosscrake, Kendal. The riders and volunteers met a variety of vehicles and other road users the majority of which were all respectful of each other.
The British Horse SocietyOperation Gallop
Lakes Riding ClubHappy Hooves Riding CentreSeaview Riding School
Cumbria Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner
Guidance on safe passing distances and speeds for people driving or riding a motorcycle when overtaking vulnerable road users, including:
• leaving at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) when overtaking people cycling at speeds of up to 30mph, and giving them more space when overtaking at higher speeds
• passing people riding horses or driving horse-drawn vehicles at speeds under 10 mph and allowing at least 2 metres (6.5 feet) of space
• allowing at least 2 metres (6.5 feet) of space and keeping to a low speed when passing people walking in the road (for example, where there’s no pavement)
Wait behind them and do not overtake if it’s unsafe or not possible to meet these clearances.
If you wish to report an incident to BHS via their app, more info here: https://orlo.uk/kIn2d Or make reports to Cumbria Police via 101 or the online options.
