Footage has emerged of four youths brazenly riding horses along a city centre’s main high street.
CCTV released by Northumbria Police shows the youngsters travelling without helmets along Newcastle’s quayside and into the city centre.
Officers have launched an appeal to identify the youths so that they can be given ‘suitable advice’.
CCTV released by Northumbria Police shows the youngsters travelling without helmets along Newcastle’s quayside and into the city centre
City centre Neighbourhood Inspector Steve Wykes has warned the riders could be putting themselves, and other members of the public, at risk.
He said: ‘These individuals may be competent riders but the city centre is no place to take a horse, particularly one of the region’s busiest high streets.
‘On Sunday afternoon it was full of shoppers, including families with young children, and someone could easily have been hurt.
‘None of those riding the horses were wearing safety equipment and if the horses were to be startled by traffic, a dog or a member of the public then these children could have hurt themselves.
‘Our police horses often patrol the city centre but they have extensive training to police busy areas with high footfall crowds.
Officers have launched an appeal to identify the youths so that they can be given ‘suitable advice’
City centre Neighbourhood Inspector Steve Wykes has warned the riders could be putting themselves, and other members of the public, at risk
‘We are still working to identify these children so we can speak to them about bringing horses into Newcastle and anyone who may know who they are should call us on 101.’
Councillor Nick Kemp, Chair of Safe Newcastle added: ‘Northumberland Street is one of the busiest in the city, packed with shoppers, families and young children, it is important that it has a safe and friendly environment.
‘It would be very easy for one of these horses to be frightened and put people at risk. If anyone has any information about this incident we would urge them to contact Northumbria Police.’
Councillor Nick Kemp, Chair of Safe Newcastle added: ‘Northumberland Street is one of the busiest in the city, packed with shoppers, families and young children’
He added: ‘It would be very easy for one of these horses to be frightened and put people at risk’