Mounted Police in 1888 - a query

[Chris Scott]

I have recently acquired a copy of a Ripper documentary entitled "The Monster Within and Among Us: The Jack the Ripper Case."
Bizarrely this is part of a 10 part series called "America's Serial Killers."
This Ripper documentary features long sections from the 1944 version of the Lodger in which there are a number of scenes of mounted policemen chasing the Ripper in the streets of Whitechapel. A couple of examples are below.
I don't remember reading anything about mounted patrols being used during the murders - any information on this please? Were mounted police used to huint the Ripper?

[Chris G.]

Hi Chris

I think this is total fantasy, though I reserve the right to be corrected! Certainly the first time I have heard of it. I would guess this is the director or writer's conception, to put the pursuing coppers on horseback, based on little research. By the way, from the title of the thread, I thought you meant Canadian Mounted Police!!!

All the best

Chris

[Howard Brown]

Chris,CG...

I think this is also the only Ripper related film which suggests mounted police as well. Likewise, I might have overlooked an instance, but I believe this is the only one.
For those who haven't seen the film Chris Scott is referring to : The Lodger, 1944, directed by John Brahm, starring Laird Cregar.

[Monty]

Hi Chris,

My understanding is the Mounted division was used to maintain crowd order and disperse disorderly crowds. They most certainly were not used on beat patrol in Whitechapel and City.

They were used in the more rural areas but the Met then, as now, had to consider costs and those with long beats out in the sticks were handed bicycles.

The only reference I can recall mounted police being used in regards to Jack was during the funeral processions and during, I think, crowd control in Dorset street.

Monty
:)

[Dave James]

Hi all,

Probably not relevant, but the Victorian painter William Logsdale shows mounted police in at least two of his paintings, 'St Martin's-in-the-Field, 1888' and 'Sir James Whitehead's Procession, 1888".

http://blog.tate.org.uk/tate-tales/?p=32

http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/paintings/the-ninth-of-november-1888-51266