WHEN Gus Meechan tried to brighten up a police box by painting it pink, officers ended up seeing red.
And they were even more unimpressed by his offer to make amends for his stunt – by painting another disused box outside Craigmillar Police Station.
Lothian and Borders Police failed to see the funny side of his offer, but did pledge to find him ot
her "reparative work".
And relations between Gus, who is chairman of Craigmillar Community Arts Project, and the boys in blue show no sign of thawing – he was challenged by officers while posing for our photographer.
Officers told them the box was police property, and noted the names and addresses of both Mr Meechan and our photographer, though eventually allowed the picture to be taken.
Mr Meechan said he was disappointed that police would rather see the boxes gather dust than be given a bright makeover.
He had hoped his project would involve people from all parts of the community, and create a unique talking point.
He said: "We thought it would be a good way for the police and community arts group to work together. It would create a positive image for the police in Craigmillar, and show they have a sense of humour. They should definitely put some thought into what they're doing with these boxes. They've just left them there for years and years."
The original artwork on Newcraighall Road caused a colourful stir when it appeared overnight in February. Residents thought it might be a cheeky nod to the gay-friendly credentials of Lothian and Borders Police.
But then Mr Meechan and Mark Carr, another member of the arts project, came clean and admitted it was their work. They said they had chosen pink "at random", simply because they had a pot of pink paint.
Police initially said they might charge the pair with "malicious damage" but then decided not to continue with proceedings. So Mr Meechan wrote to them to suggest they work together on the next project.
He said: "I remember being taken in for questioning – there were two police officers and one of them couldn't keep a straight face.
"We wrote to ask if they'd like the police box near Craigmillar Police Station painted in an artistic sense. We would've agreed the design with the police."
Inspector Cameron Chapman replied to Mr Meechan by saying it would be "entirely inappropriate" for him the paint police property. But he added: "I have conveyed your intentions to perform some form of reparative work to Charlie Holt (Community Safety Manager for the Housing Department) I am confident that Mr Holt will identify a more appropriate task for you to perform."
A police spokesman added: "We are happy to involve Mr Meechan in any other community projects where we feel his skills can be put to use."
On challenging our photographer, an inspector at Craigmillar Police Station insisted they had simply been asking the pair what they were doing.
