Edinburgh tourist tax to fund new police unit in city centre

A new police unit, supported by funding from Edinburgh’s tourist tax, has been launched in the city centre.

In January 2025, the City of Edinburgh Council agreed to introduce a 5% charge on overnight accommodation within the capital for those visiting on or after July 24, 2026.

It is anticipated that £50m revenue will be raised each year from the levy scheme.

Police Scotland’s Edinburgh Division has reached an agreement with the council to fund the City Centre Policing Unit (CCPU).

The new team, which begins duties on Thursday, will provide additional police officers dedicated to proactively patrolling the city centre thanks to investment from the visitor levy over the next three years, match-funded by Police Scotland.

The CCPU comprises of an inspector, three sergeants and 45 constables.

Chief superintendent David Robertson, divisional commander for Edinburgh, said: “Edinburgh’s city-centre is a unique and vibrant destination for residents, businesses and visitors, and it is absolutely vital that we have appropriate resources in place to ensure it remains a safe place to live, work, and visit.

“Our partners at the City of Edinburgh Council recognised the importance of having a dedicated policing team to serve the specific needs of the city-centre and the Visitor Levy revenue was identified as an ideal opportunity to achieve this.

“Almost 50 officers will now support policing operations and activity within the city centre, and I am delighted that our council partners have shared our vision of how the CCPU can provide immense benefits to the city.

“With the Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe only a few short weeks away, and the festive celebrations emerging on the horizon, the CCPU will have to hit the ground running. However, I am confident that the team will quickly demonstrate their value to not only the city-centre, but to the Division as a whole.”

Cllr Margaret Graham, culture and communities convener at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “The Visitor Levy is already helping to deliver real, tangible benefits for our capital city ahead of its full introduction on July 24.

“By working closely with our partners at Police Scotland to support this new policing unit, we’re ensuring that the people who live, work and visit Edinburgh feel safer and better supported – not only in our bustling central streets, but in neighbourhoods across the city by reducing demand on existing officer resources.

“The results of this partnership demonstrate exactly what the levy is designed to do: reinvest in the services and infrastructure that keep our city welcoming, vibrant, and successful.

“We will now see the levy’s first investments making a visible difference on the ground, and there’s much, much more to come in the years to come. From investing more in our public spaces, parks, and greenspaces to restoring cultural heritage like the Royal High School and Leith Theatre, our visitor levy projects stand to benefit everyone.”