Emergency services attacked with golf clubs, fireworks and bottles

Emergency services were attacked with golf clubs, bricks, bottles, wood and fireworks on Bonfire Night.

Police Scotland said there were several serious fireworks-related incidents reported across Scotland on Friday.

In Edinburgh, fireworks were directed at emergency services and bricks thrown at vehicles as groups of young people gathered in Niddrie Mains Road and Hay Drive.

Elsewhere in the city, a group of young people threw golf clubs at police officers in Duddingston Row, with one officer suffering a minor injury.

Police were also called to Methven Street in Glasgow following reports of anti-social behaviour involving fireworks.

Officers were targeted with bottles, wood and fireworks, with one hit by a bottle and another by a firework, although neither were injured.

Fireworks were also thrown at firefighters in Loreny Drive, Kilmarnock and Kendoon Street in Glasgow.

Despite the attacks, police said they saw a reduction in incidents compared to 2020.

Between November 4 and 5, police received 649 calls in relation to fireworks, and a further 105 regarding fires compared to 2020, where 798 fireworks calls and 153 fire calls were made.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs said: “Unfortunately a number of police officers as well as colleagues from the other emergency services were targeted by a minority of people intent on causing disorder. I utterly condemn this behaviour

“Thankfully, none of those affected sustained serious injuries but no-one should have to face violence in the course of their duties. These kind of incidents put intense additional pressure on the emergency services and impact our officers’ ability to respond to other people in need.

“We will continue to thoroughly investigate these incidents in the coming days so as to identify those involved.”

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters across Scotland dealt with more than 370 bonfires on Friday evening.

There were eight reported attacks on crews, resulting in three injuries. One firefighter was taken to hospital for treatment.

Assistant Chief Officer Stuart Stevens, Director of Service Delivery for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Attacks on our firefighters are completely unacceptable.

“This type of behaviour not only prevents our crews from bringing any emergency to a safe and swift conclusion, but it can impact on our emergency service colleagues – including the police when they must escort us at the scene.

“This type of behaviour is, of course, carried out by a very small minority and we once again thank our communities for their continuing support and working together with us to stay safe.”