Country retirement for veteran Met horse

The MET'S longest-serving police horse has been put out to pasture.

Raleigh was today heading for a peaceful retirement at stables in Sevenoaks after two decades working on the streets of London.

The 23-year-old horse has been involved in policing almost every annual large-scale event in the capital. As well as daily patrols, he has policed football matches and had ceremonial duties.

Rider Pc Bill Hounsome, one of the 148 officers of the Mounted Branch, said: "He may be a veteran at 23 but he thinks he's 13. It's incredible for a horse to be so youthful at his age, but it's time for a well-deserved rest." Most of the Met's 120 horses enjoy a career of about 15 years.