Boris the police horse receives special hero award

Boris the Mounted Branch police horse was recognised for his outstanding dedication received a special hero award for his work in serving the City of London during last summers' disturbances.

As one of the first mounted branch horses on scene in Tottenham High Road on the very first night of the disturbances, Boris was met with a sea of hostile crowds, burning buildings, and faced an onslaught of improvised and dangerous missiles.

But Yorkshire born Grey Gelding Boris did not flinch. A natural leader, he made a path through large crowds and gave other mounted branch horses the confidence to follow in an effort to control and help those affected by the disturbances.

Boris performed magnificently in what would end up being a 26 hour shift and then proceeded to work 14-16 hours almost every day during the disturbances.

His brave efforts on the first night may well have saved lives as they allowed officers on scene the opportunity to advance forward and help those in need.

This is why he was selected for the Special Hero Award at the annual Burgess Wetnose Animal Rescue Awards.

Boris's rider Police Constable Paul Copeland was delighted with the award. He said: “I am extremely pleased that the work that Boris does is being recognised and indeed the efforts of all the horses in the mounted branch. Boris is always willing, eager to please, gentle, laid back, brave as a lion, good to work and always a first choice when difficult deployments are anticipated.

“He is a real hero, whether leading Her Majesty the Queen's state processions, meeting and greeting children from difficult backgrounds, patrolling the streets providing reassurance to London's population or dealing with outbreaks of serious disorder as we witnessed last summer, Boris can be relied upon day in day out to act above and beyond the call of duty.”

Boris joined the police in November 1998 at 4 years old and came from Yorkshire fields. He was a young horse when he was selected to be trained to work for the MPS not having been ridden before. From his humble grazing origins, Boris has grown to show amazing courage in the face of duty.

He is based at Kings Cross Stables but also works on state visits and had the recent privilege of being one of four horses selected to lead the Queen's procession to the official state opening of Parliament. He will also be involved in the Diamond Jubilee.

Boris has also received a Commissioner's Commendation for his work last summer but despite his heroics, he continues with his day to day duties. These have and always will be preventing and dealing with crime.

This year Boris and his police rider, PC Paul Copeland have been busy. Their efforts in searching for a suspect after a man was attacked with a claw hammer resulted in a charge for attempted murder.

Boris also regularly polices football matches and on one recent occasion, when a man was knocked unconscious, PC Copeland and Boris pursued the suspect who was later charged with grievous bodily harm.

The not-for-profit organisation, Wetnose Animal Aid, which selected Boris for the bravery award, is involved in caring for and rehoming abandoned, neglected and unwanted animals in rescue centres across the UK.