HE is the only mounted community support officer in Hampshire and David Sinclair caused quite a stir when he arrived riding Sam to carry out a patrol in Alton.

The support officer had to stop several times for people to give Sam a pat on the nose and drivers made sure they steered a gentle course around the horse as he clip-clopped along the streets and through the town’s car parks.

Police community support officer Sinclair said: “I’m usually in a car when I do my patrol and I’m not so sure Sam would be fast enough to catch criminals on the run, but I find it is a nice way to get round a town and meet the people.”