ESSEX Police’s mounted unit put a smile on the faces of many during their patrols throughout the county for more than 100 years.
The police horse unit was formed in 1903, when Essex Police was known as the Essex County Constabulary.
Due to there being no police cars at the time, horses were an essential form of transport.
However, the horses could only be ridden by senior officers, meaning there was only a small number who could get involved in police chases.
Talking to the next generation of the community - PC Paul Sheffield with horse Cromwell in 1985
Although the unit was disbanded in 1999 due to budget cuts, it was reintroduced by former Chief Constable Roger Baker in 2007.
In more recent times, the mounted unit also played a key role in neighbourhood policing, but it has since been scrapped once again.
Patrolling in Basildon - PC Paul Sheffield and Sgt Paul Hemmings leaving the police headquarters on their horses
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Scroll down to see more photographs of Essex Police's mounted unit.
All smiles - a cheeky youngster is overjoyed as she climbs on the back of a police horse
On duty - mounted police with the Crimestoppers bus at Canewdon in 1992
Staple of the community - the police horse unit was formed in 1903, when Essex Police was known as the Essex County Constabulary
Meet and greet - the horse unit meeting south Essex residents in April 1989
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- When greyhound racing fans made journey to historic Southend Stadium
Having a bite to eat - traders at York Road Market, Southend, feed the horse of PC Monnickengam
On patrol - the mounted unit ensure south Essex residents are kept safe in May 1985
Built a special bond - PC Jo Sell with her horse in November 1980
Having a ride - six-year-old Sarah Beels joins PC Paul Sheffield of Southend Police on a horse outside Briscoe Infant School, Pitsea
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