A town mayor has condemned the possibility that police horses could given the boot under new cost-cutting plans.

High Wycombe mayor Cllr Brian Pearce branded the potential move by Thames Valley Police (TVP) “utter madness”, saying having the mounted section made the public feel safe and “reassured”.

It comes after a TVP spokesman said the three options being considered were to maintain the mounted section in its current format, to restructure the unit to continue the current service level while making savings or to scrap it completely by next year.

Bosses are preparing to present various budget proposals to Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Anthony Stansfeld later this month.

Cllr Pearce said: “I think it’s absolutely monstrous because I think [the horses] are so valuable.

“They give confidence and reassurance to the local public when they are out.

“They have been used at football matches and when there has been vandalism in High Wycombe previously.

“I think it’s absolutely false economy. It beggars belief that they would even consider it. I just hope that it’s an option that they do not pursue.”

His thoughts were echoed last week by former High Wycombe mayor and chairman of Wycombe Labour Cllr Khalil Ahmed, who said the closure would be “another blow to vital services being cut in the area”.

The options will be presented at a public meeting at TVP’s headquarters, in Oxford Road, Kidlington, tomorrow (January 23).