Meet the brave horses which played a vital role in policing three Leeds protests on Saturday

Three protests on Saturday meant a busy day for West Yorkshire Police, who battled to keep disruption to a minimum and manage counter-protests.
By Abbey Maclure
Published 8th Sep 2019, 11:06 BST

But police horses also played a vital role in policing tactics, leading protesters on marches and helping to keep counter-protesters apart.

The horses were a visible presence throughout the city centre on Saturday as three huge protests marched through Leeds.

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At 11am on City Square, pro-Tommy Robinson supporters marched through Leeds, clashing with 'anti-fascist' groups who opposed the march.

Police horses leading a march of pro-Tommy Robinson supporters through LeedsPolice horses leading a march of pro-Tommy Robinson supporters through Leeds
Police horses leading a march of pro-Tommy Robinson supporters through Leeds

-> Watch the moment Tommy Robinson supporters and anti-fascists clash in Leeds City Square

At 2pm, a 'Lesbian Strength March' gathered at City Square before marching through the centre, ending with a rally on Millennium Square.

Police were called in to separate the march from counter-protesters who claimed the 'Lesbian Strength' group were undermining the rights of transgender people.

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At 4pm, an anti-No Deal Brexit protest gathered outside Leeds Art Gallery and police were called to separate the group from Brexiteers.

Police horses on City SquarePolice horses on City Square
Police horses on City Square

By 8pm, the protests had dispersed from the city centre.

West Yorkshire Police Horses tweeted a picture of six of the hard-working horses which had been busy managing all three protests.

They said: "Marley, Ledston, Clifton, Coley, Seth and Lola have been in Leeds all day today dealing with a number of different protests throughout the day".