Bonfire Night: Officers respond to 'large groups of youths' throwing fireworks

Emergency services prepared for violence and disorder on Bonfire Night, after unrest in a number of cities on Halloween.

A number of restrictions related to fireworks were put in place across Scotland ahead of Bonfire Night amid fears of more violence.

Specially trained riot officers were deployed across Scotland to combat disorder a year after violent scenes unfolded in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Police confirmed that officers responded to multiple incidents involving “large groups of youths” throwing fireworks and other objects across Edinburgh.

Superintendent Neil Wilson from Edinburgh Division said: “We are currently responding to incidents of disorder involving large groups of youths throwing a range of objects, including fireworks, bricks and bottles, across Edinburgh.

“Local policing teams are being supported by specialist resources as part of Operation Moonbeam.”

In a post shared on social media, police said Niddrie Main Road was closed between Duddingston Road West and Duddingston Park South at around 7.30pm due to “youths throwing fireworks at vehicles”.

Lothian buses confirmed a number of buses were diverted from the Niddrie area of the capital due to anti-social behaviour.

Police partnered with Crimestoppers and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service as part of Operation Moonbeam, an initiative to deter the criminal use of fireworks.

It comes after 62 officers sustained a range of injuries after being struck by or in the proximity of fireworks in incidents across Scotland last year.

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On Halloween, violence unfolded, prompting police to lock down areas in Edinburgh and Dundee as groups of young people targeted police with fireworks and missiles.

Footage showed bottles being launched at passing police vehicles off Ulverston Terrace in the Kirkton area of Dundee.

Glasgow & West

Residents ‘shocked’ as council and police dismantle community bonfire

The bonfire had been built on a site between Westray and Bernaray Streets in the Milton area of Glasgow.

In the Hay Avenue area of Niddrie, officers and public transport workers were pelted with fireworks and missiles, including bricks.

A female officer was injured after a brick struck the vehicle she was in, smashing a window.

Ahead of Bonfire Night, the Scottish Police Federation has been contacted for comment.

What measures are in place to combat Bonfire Night disorder?

As part of Operation Crackle, officers in Edinburgh revealed the city’s dispersal zones, which became enforceable from 2pm on Friday, November 1, until midnight on November 5.

These were in place in Gorgie, Saughton, Oxgangs, Liberton, Gilmerton, Gracemount, Portobello, Niddrie, Moredun, Muirhouse, Craigentinny, Pilton, and the city centre.

Glasgow City Council, which previously announced it would implement firework control zones, missed the deadline for introducing the legislation ahead of Bonfire Night.

Police Scotland

One zone in Pollokshields was due to come into force from November 1 until November 10 and covered public and private spaces, including gardens.

When the dispersal zones are in place, officers can order groups to disperse, leave the area unless they live there, and stop them from returning for a period of time.

On Monday, officers in West Lothian seized 30 fireworks from a 17-year-old and materials for an unauthorised fire.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We use this power where we have reasonable grounds to believe that the presence or behaviour of a group of two or more people in any public place is causing, or likely to cause, alarm or distress to any members of the public.

“If you knowingly contravene a direction given by an officer within a Dispersal Zone under these powers, you can be subject to an arrest without warrant.”

Officers said on Tuesday following intelligence relating to planned disorder and firework related crime in Moredun, Niddrie and Gracemount they will use Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act.

It allows police to stop and search people and vehicles to identify any dangerous instruments or weapons, if they believe there is a possibility of serious violence or disorder taking place.

Edinburgh Council Leader Cammy Day said on Tuesday: “Bonfire Night is a time for families and friends to come together and enjoy spectacular firework displays in their local communities.

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“I would urge you to only attend organised events this evening, and to take care of each other and follow the safety advice.

“I’ve already expressed my dismay and anger at the violence and disorder perpetrated by a small minority of mindless thugs on Halloween – and hope that we don’t see a repeat of that this evening.

“It’s incomprehensible to me that anyone would choose to cause such fear and alarm in our communities – and I fear it’s only a matter of time until someone is more seriously hurt or worse.

“That’s why I’m repeating my call again today for a complete ban of the public sale of fireworks – and for tougher sentences for those intent on causing fear and alarm in our communities.

“I visited the Lothian bus depot and control room following last week’s attacks and the drivers I spoke to were understandably shaken by what had happened and concerned for their safety.

“Nobody should face violence at work, and they have our full support – as do our Police and Fire Service colleagues.

“I want to reassure our communities that we’re continuing to plan and work closely with Police Scotland – who have committed significant additional resources – and other partners to ensure that this evening passes off as peacefully as possible”

Guy Fawkes violence: Firework-related crime continues year on year

Multiple cities have faced similar unrest in recent years on Bonfire Night.

Riot police were called to Beauly Avenue and Beauly Square in Kirkton as around 50 people were involved in disorder, which saw fires seal off roads and wheelie bins ablaze on October 31, 2023.

In the Niddrie area of Edinburgh, around 100 youths took to the same streets on November 5 in a repeat of the disorder seen in the same neighbourhood in 2022.

Four people, including a police officer, were taken to hospital in Glasgow following a “mass brawl” in the Barmulloch area last year.

Meanwhile, firefighters were bombarded with fireworks and bricks in nine attacks during an eight-hour period on Bonfire Night.

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