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It may not exactly be the type of security presence you expect to see when you walk into an airport terminal.

Police who patrol Gatwick Airport have unveiled a new crime-fighting machine - a cross between a segway and moped - which they hope can improve response times to incidents.

At an individual cost of £11,000, the machines can reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour, are on loan from manufacturer Ecospin for a one-month trial.

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Police are hoping their elevated position plus speed on the move can help them react to crime quicker

Decked in police colours, 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.

'This will enable PCSOs to respond to calls faster than they would on foot and to enhance police visibility.'

Ecospin says the Raptors can be customised with optional weather covers and siren attachments.

Gatwick airport police drive new 'raptors' that look like Daleks

The machines can reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour and are on loan from manufacturer Ecospin

The batteries can be fully charged and depleted 1,200 times before they begin to lose their efficiency. With average use, that means the Raptor's batteries will remain at their peak performance for three years.

The Raptors loaned to the police are the fastest models and are designed, engineered and manufactured in the UK.

Managing director of Ecospin, Paul Loomes, suggested that vehicles like the Raptor can cause crime rates to drop.

Raptors cost between £7,999 and £11,000 and the developers have sold the vehicles all around the world

The Raptors loaned to the police are the fastest models and are designed and manufactured in the UK

A study conducted in France three years ago found that crime rates dropped 12 per cent once beat police officers began using vehicles similar to the Raptor.

Mr Loomes said: 'Police using Raptors stand a foot taller and are more visible. This means the criminals can see the police, which can deter them from committing crimes.'

Police are hoping the Raptors patrolling Gatwick Airport can give passengers more piece of mind

Raptors cost between £7,999 and £11,000 and the developers have sold the vehicles all around the world.

A spokesperson for the company added: 'The Raptor has European-type approval which means it's road legal in 58 countries and is designed here in England.

'It is also manufactured here and is aimed at the professional end user like police airport security staff, shopping mall staff and postal workers.'