Iconic police boxes become focal point for public

Lothian and Borders Police has re-opened a number of police boxes in Edinburgh to engage with local communities.

The boxes are being brought back in to operation for the first time in a number of years.

Safer neighbourhood team (SNT) officers first used the iconic structures to host community surgeries during last month’s ‘Have Your Say’ week. Members of the public were invited to meet with their local policing teams at the hubs and raise any community issues or concerns they had.

SNT Sergeant David Robertson said: “We are delighted to re-open the police boxes within these communities as they will help improve the visibility of local police, which is an essential promise of our ‘Community Commitment’ pledge.”

A number of boxes across the city were recently put up for sale as they were deemed surplus to operational requirement. However, the SNTs in the south east of the city identified them as an ideal method for improving local engagement.

“The local community is being invited to take advantage of this opportunity and come along to speak with their policing teams on the subjects that matter most to them,” added Sgt Robertson.