Watch moment cops on horseback chase driver using mobile phone while behind the wheel – before he DENIES using it
THE AVON and Somerset Police Mounted Unit have played a major role in the area for more than 30 years.
Employing regular patrols, the unit is a valuable asset to policing across the county, and played a key role in helping to manage the protests and the riot which broke out in Bristol city centre earlier this year.
So, it was no surprise to the local public when two of the section made their way down a busy shopping street; their riders keeping a keen eye out for any trouble.
As the patrol approached a set of traffic lights, one of the officers spotted a driver in a silver Land Rover Freelander crossing their path while using a mobile phone.
Quickly making a U-turn in the road, both mounties gave chase and followed the driver into a side street.
The man at the wheel of the Land Rover pulled over and was given a stern rebuke by the officers.
Initially denying the accusation, the driver said he was listening to music, but it was clear that he had instead been taking a phone call.
The video footage was picked up by the police bodycam and cuts as one officer says she can see the display of the phone and that a call had been taking place.
The A&S Mounted Unit posted the video clip on Twitter, leading to mixed reactions from followers.
Twitter user @66hayles said, ‘More needs to be done about mobile phone use. It’s on the increase. See it all the time.’
While @Scotspie501D replied: ‘use the horses for the correct policing not chasing cars OMG.’
@HelenTh45011085 tweeted: ‘It’s great that this person was stopped by the mounted police, but it was always drummed into me to never canter on the road as it is very hard on the horses bones. I hope this is a rare practice.’