POLICE officers hope to be swifter to the scene at Sussex’s major airport with the aid of this new piece of kit.

Sussex Police have borrowed two Raptor vehicles for use in the terminal buildings of Gatwick.

The three-wheeled machines, a sort-of cross between a Segway and a C5, are on loan from manufacturer Ecospin for a one-month trial.

Complete with police livery, a flashing yellow beacon replaces the traditional blue lights for airport use.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “They will be used by the police community safety team to travel from the police station at the airport to terminal buildings, enabling PCSOs to respond to calls faster than they would on foot and to enhance police visibility.”

The force is not aware whether the Raptors are used by police elsewhere in the UK and has no immediate plans to introduce them elsewhere.

Ecospin states that Raptors can be tailored with optional weather covers and siren attachments and said its batteries allow for up to 1,200 duty cycles.