The annual Edinburgh taxi outing for sick children has been “reluctantly” cancelled after organisers said a policy change has left police officers unable to escort the cabs.
The annual outing, organised and funded by taxi drivers, gives children with special needs, life-limiting conditions and terminal illnesses a day out where they are driven around the city in colourfully decorated taxis.
It was due to be held for the 78th time on June 9, but outing committee secretary Keith Bell said on Monday that organisers had “no option” but to cancel.
“Following a planning meeting with City of Edinburgh Council and Police Scotland, we were informed of a policy change from the National Police Chiefs’ Council that police officers can no longer escort events such as ours through the streets of Edinburgh and East Lothian,” Bell said.
He said the taxi outing does not meet the new criteria for a police escort.
Police Scotland offered to support the event with static support in a few key places, but Bell said the taxis would need to sit in the general traffic for the rest of the route, stopping at red lights, junctions and in general congestion within Edinburgh.
“The children participating in the outing have a variety of needs and some will not manage to cope with sitting stationary for who knows how long waiting for the taxis at the back to catch up so, as our number-one priority has been and always will be the comfort and safety of the children, we have reluctantly decided to cancel this year’s outing,” Bell added.
“I wish to make it clear that neither the City of Edinburgh Council nor Police Scotland are responsible for the new policy.
“The council and the police have always supported us over the years with the outing, and the outing would not have happened without the support of the motorcycle unit, and as that support has been withdrawn due to the new policy we have had no option but to cancel the outing.”
Bell said he believes the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) would not have known about the taxi outing when creating the policy.
He said: “But the result of their policy is that an event for children with additional needs that has been in force since 1947 is now no more.”
“I will be encouraging any who feels so motivated to contact their MPs, MSPs and councillors to see whether they can persuade the NPCC to grant an exemption from their policy for the outing.”
Edinburgh City Council has been contacted for comment.
Police Scotland 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.”
