Large police presence expected in Edinburgh as officers take part in multi-agency response training

Police in Edinburgh will take part in a simulated multi-agency exercise which will test their response to a major incident next week.

The pre-planned exercises provide training and experience working with other agencies and will be take place from Monday, October 17 until Thursday, October 20.

While exercises happen regularly at various levels with other emergency services, the last exercise of a similar scale was held in October 2017 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The multi-agency response to a major incident involving hazardous materials will be tested in the upcoming simulation.

Assistant chief constable Mark Williams, head of operational support, said: “This is one of many pre-planned exercises and not in response to any specific threat.

“The public should rightly expect Police Scotland to practice and strengthen our response to a major incident alongside other organisations.

“We are part of a well-established multi-agency training programme that provides valuable training and learning.

“It’s important for exercises to be as realistic as possible, however they are always planned proportionately in controlled settings and there will be limited disruption to people living nearby.”

There will be an increased presence of emergency services and military vehicles in Edinburgh during the exercise days.

Other agencies involved in this particular exercise include NHS Lothian, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh Council.