A senior north politician has joined the growing condemnation of the use of police horses in the Highland capital last December.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander described the controversial move as “expensive anti-riot police tactics,” and the Liberal Democrat MP said it was inappropriate to use mounted police in Inverness at Christmas.
He added he was disappointed to hear that, despite a largely negative reaction from local residents, Police Scotland had confirmed it would not rule out using mounted police in the city in the future.
Mounted police were used in Inverness in December as part of efforts to pacify “mad Friday” revellers.
They also patrolled the area around the Caley Thistle stadium the following day when the home team played rivals Aberdeen.
Mr Alexander has now written to Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill challenging the new, centralised approach.
He said: “While the SNP are overseeing the closures of control rooms and community front desks across the north, the additional cost of mounted police is unjustifiable.
“I am sure that this measure does a great deal of good in some other parts of Scotland, but it is wholly unnecessary here in the Highlands.
“It is yet another example of the failures of a centralised police force. These ranks would be better used to support community policing across the Highlands.”
Councillor Kate Stephen, Culloden and Ardersier, also considered the use of police horses in Inverness to be unnecessary.
The Lib Dem councillor said: “In the past, Northern Constabulary policed Hogmanays and Highland events sensitively – everyone felt safe and it was a friendly atmosphere.
“We don’t need expensive anti-riot police tactics here.”
Chief Superintendent Julian Innes said the support they had received from the mounted branch over the “Black Friday” weekend had been excellent and public opinion had been mixed.
He said: “The weekend the mounted branch were on the streets of Inverness, there was not one serious assault in a public place.
“The same cannot be said for the New Year period.
“I will reserve the right to access specialist support from anywhere in Scotland if the division need it.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “The deployment of mounted units or other resources is an operational matter for Police Scotland, based on the knowledge and expertise of local commanders and the policing needs of the area.”