Leicestershire Police Relaunch Operation Snaffle
Last month saw the relaunch of Op Snaffle, the Leicestershire Police Rural Crime Teams response to improving the safety of vulnerable road users, specifically horse riders in the Leicestershire area.
Our first Op was in the North West Leicestershire Police area of Long Whatton and we’re pleased to report on a whole the majority of driving standards were good, big pat on the back for most people that day 
Unfortunately the same cannot be said for Market Harborough and Lutterworth Police area of Frolesworth /Broughton Astley, with seven close or fast passes in the first hour and another person driving on their mobile phone.
The aim of these Ops are to educate, not prosecute people so everyone stopped was given the opportunity to speak with Police and then take a seat in LFRS Hazard Express, where they viewed a number of virtual reality videos, one of which puts them in the saddle to experience what riders go through when vehicles spook horses.
Everyone has a right to use the road and we all want to arrive safely, when passing horses please ensure you:
Slow down to a max speed of 10mph
Be patient
Do not sound your horn or rev your engine
Pass the horse allowing at least 2 meters of space.
Drive slowly away
And a key point at all times:
don’t use your mobile phone whilst driving!
It was great that Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire came to join us yesterday and a massive thank you to Leicestershire Police Roads Policing Unit, Leicestershire Police Volunteers and Cadets , Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service Road Safety and every single one of you that passes horses safely!