The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service responded to over 1,000 calls on Bonfire Night, as emergency teams faced challenges including being targeted by fireworks and missiles. Despite the disruptions, incidents of serious disorder were reported to have decreased compared to previous years. Police officers and firefighters were attacked in six separate incidents across Clydebank, Edinburgh, and Blackridge in West Lothian, with the use of fireworks, bricks, and bottles.
The Deputy Chief Officer for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Andy Watt, highlighted that these attacks were carried out by a minority and thanked the community for their continued support. The emergency services’ response was part of a broader effort to manage the Bonfire Night festivities, which have historically seen significant disturbances.
In Edinburgh, police tackled disorder in several neighborhoods including Niddrie, Sighthill, and Moredun, where large groups of youths were reported throwing fireworks and other objects at vehicles and police. The situation escalated to the extent that a police helicopter was deployed to manage the crowd effectively.
Local residents described a tense atmosphere, with one mother on Hay Avenue recounting how groups of youths setting off fireworks near her home raised fears of property damage. Long-time resident George Pringle recounted his strategy of isolating himself from the noise by keeping his curtains closed and increasing the volume of his television.
The violence extended to property damage as well, with several cars at the Macklin Motors Hyundai dealership on Calder Road suffering smashed windows and body damage. Nearby, a BP petrol station had to take precautionary measures to shut off pumps to avert potential explosions due to fireworks being launched nearby.
For the first time, control zones banning the use of fireworks were implemented in certain areas of Edinburgh until 10 November. Glasgow was also scheduled to have similar bans, but implementation has been delayed until next year due to a council error. This delay was criticized by local anti-fireworks campaigner Danny Phillips, who blamed the council’s failure for the repeat of disorder.
Despite these challenges, the police confirmed that there were no injuries in the incidents in Glasgow and Edinburgh. A significant arrest was made in Drumchapel where a 25-year-old man was found selling fireworks illegally, including to underage children. In another incident in Peterhead, two men were arrested after a van incident related to firework disturbances.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, gold commander for Operation Moonbeam, a police initiative to manage annual disorder, noted a reduction in the deployment of specialist resources and injuries to officers this year. He emphasized ongoing efforts to further reduce firework-related offenses through continued collaboration with local authorities and the Scottish government.
