Police horses on the streets of Essex look set to be a thing of the past, it was revealed today.

The mounted section, based in Southend, and the motorcycle fleet look set to be the likely casualties of the financial axe.

Essex Police Authority has got to make budget cuts of £7.1 million when it meets next Monday.

It follows a deficit in funding from the Home Office.

The proposals on the table to reduce costs include:

The civilisation of 135 police posts, saving £1.9 million

Reducing police overtime, saving £200,000

Reducing the number of traffic wardens, saving £200,000

Disbanding the mounted section, saving £180,000

There are also plans to sell off 30 police motorcycles and reducing the number of personnel carriers, Ford Mondeos and specialist vehicles.

Divisions and departments within Essex Police have also decided to keep a close eye on their day-to-day purse strings, which includes IT purchases, office equipment and furniture, which will save £1.1 million.

Assistant Chief Officer Philip Onions said: "The budget proposals to be considered by the police authority will maintain our commitment to making Essex a safer place and will keep the impact on operational policing to an absolute minimum."

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