Armed police patrols have been ‘doubled’ in Edi since Manchester attack

Armed police patrols have been doubled in Edinburgh in the wake of the Manchester attack, with up to twenty armed officers patrolling key areas.

A source, speaking to Edinburgh Evening News, said that armed police patrols are running at full capacity, with teams of two or three officers also in mobile units.

According to the source, leave has been cancelled, with around-the-clock, 12-hour shifts implemented for armed officers in the Capital.

The source said: “They’re just doing their jobs. Everybody has rallied round in support of Manchester. They’re highly trained and professional and they’re working hard to protect us.”

Specialist anti-terrorism units are also on alert in the city, and police are currently reviewing every upcoming public event, including this weekend’s Edinburgh Marathon Festival.

Each armed officer carries a Heckler & Koch G36 rifle and a Glock 17 pistol sidearm.

Armed police in Waverley Street Station this week

The increase in armed patrols comes after confirmation earlier this week from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that troops would be deployed at twelve Ministry of Defence and civil nuclear sites across Scotland.

However, the First Minister has been keen to stress that “no specific threat to Scotland has been identified” and said soldiers were not expected to be deployed on the streets.

Sturgeon said: “This is clearly a very anxious time but there is no need to be alarmed. Many of the steps that are being taken now are precautionary and I repeat there is no intelligence of a specific threat to Scotland.”

She later added: “I do ask the public to be vigilant and to report any concerns or suspicions that they may have to the police.”