Historic Edinburgh event for sick children cancelled after police pull support

A historic Edinburgh event for sick children has been cancelled after police were forced to pull their support.

The annual taxi outing was set to take place on June 9 and offers children with special needs, life-limiting conditions and terminal illnesses a day out in decorated taxis across Edinburgh and East Lothian.

The much-loved event had been run since 1947, and was fully organised and funded by taxi drivers.

But now the event has been cancelled after discussions with Edinburgh Council and Police Scotland on new guidance issued by the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC).

The operational guidance does not allow police officers to escort events through the streets.

Without the moving escort, taxis would face normal traffic conditions, such as congestion and traffic lights, raising concerns about the comfort and safety of the children taking part.

Some children would struggle with extended periods of sitting in stationary traffic, the committee said.

The cancellation has put the future of the event in peril, which has operated for nearly 80 years with the help of police motorcycle units to travel safely through the city.

The taxis take a route from Edinburgh Zoo through the capital to Archerfield Walled Garden in East Lothian.

Organisers were keen to stress that neither Edinburgh City Council nor Police Scotland were responsible for the decision, adding that both bodies had given their support to the outing for many years.

Police Scotland has said it will explore its options to continue working with organisers to allow the event to continue in future years.

Keith J Bell, secretary of the Edinburgh Taxi Outing, said the officer who drew up the policy had told him it only applied to football events, giving the taxi outing hope the event could continue in the future after the misunderstanding is cleared up.

LATEST IN SCOTLAND:

• Mothers renamed 'birth parents' in 'dehumanising' gender-neutral language drive
• Nicola Sturgeon scolded over 'gobsmacking' SNP embezzling scandal: 'Serious questions to answer!'
• Nicola Sturgeon urged to 'come clean on exactly what she knew' about Peter Murrell's £400k splurge

He told BBC Radio Scotland he contacted Mark Roberts - chief constable of Cheshire Police - who wrote the policy, and is also the national lead for football at the NPCC.

Mr Bell said: "I emailed him and within an hour he had personally responded to me.

"He told me the policy he thought Police Scotland referred to was only to be applied to football coaches, match officials and referees.

"So he couldn't understand why it was being applied to us. He said: 'I'm as confused about this as you are.'

"So he said he will contact Police Scotland to see what is going on. But at this time I really don't know what is happening."

Chief Inspector Craig Rogerson said: "I have spoken with the event organisers and provided clarity regarding the operational considerations associated with this year’s event.

"We remain committed to working constructively with the organising committee and other key delivery partners to explore alternative options that would allow the event to proceed safely."

The council has also put forward an emergency motion to find a solution.

Council leader Jane Meagher said: "The annual Children's Taxi Drivers' Outing has been a much-loved fixture in the city's calendar since the 1940s, providing a fun and memorable day out for some of Edinburgh's most vulnerable children.

"I really hope a solution can be found to allow the event to go ahead as planned this year."