Pedalling police for Edinburgh Airport

Airport car parking is no longer a concern for Edinburgh’s boys in blue it seems, as they launch a new bike patrol scheme.

While most of us worry about whether or not we’ve got our Edinburgh Airport parking booked in good time, Lothian and Borders police will be more concerned about helmets and padlocks going forward, as the force begin a new bike pilot.

The mounted officers will begin patrolling the airport complex on bikes from the beginning of this month, enabling them to cover greater distances than previously by foot. It’s also hoped that they will be able to respond to incidents more quickly and engage with members of the public in a friendly face-to-face manner.

When asked about the new initiative, Edinburgh Airport’s Managing Director Kevin Brown said, “We're delighted at this new initiative and I think our passengers will respond positively.”

“Getting the officers out of their cars promotes faster response and will make for easier face to face interaction.”

Inspector Paul McDonald, from Lothian and Borders Police meanwhile, said: “We want to assist the airport and its passengers with their journeys as much as we can.  I believe that this investment in bikes will go a long way to doing just that.”

“A more approachable and visible police presence is the way forward at Edinburgh Airport. I am pleased that by using bikes an alternative means of transport, officers are able to move more quickly and freely around the Airport, allowing us to continue to engage with passengers and staff, whilst at the same time promote our own healthy working life policies.”