The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has said it expects to receive over 1,000 calls in relation to Bonfire Night disorder as it gears up for its busiest night of the year.
Parts of Glasgow and Edinburgh will see fireworks banned around Bonfire Night, as both councils introduce Firework Control Zones (FCZs) in response to escalating anti-social behaviour.
The zones were introduced following serious levels of violence in previous years, with emergency services being directly targeted with fireworks and bricks.
Police Scotland will also implement dispersal zones in specific areas where large crowds are expected to gather. Dispersal zones give police the power to direct anyone causing, or likely to cause, alarm or distress to leave the area for up to 24 hours.
STV NewsIn October, police seized 200kg of fireworks from a storage unit in East Calder, believed to be intended for use in Bonfire Night disorder.
Two men, aged 18 and 25, were arrested and charged in connection with the discovery.
There are nine fireworks control zones in force in the capital from October 31 to November 9 – covering Balerno, Calton Hill, Corstorphine, Gracemount, Longstone, Moredun, Niddrie, Seafield and Sighthill, and in Glasgow, Pollokshields, Govanhill and Broomhouse will be covered until November 10.
Garry Mackay, head of operations, said the fire service would receive an excess of 1,000 calls over the course of the day.
He said: “I think our key message is, please enjoy the period as safely as possible.
“This will be the busiest period of the year for us, with an excess of around 1,000 calls within a 24 hour period, so, in practical, and realistic terms, we say to people if you can contribute positively by using fireworks safely or by attending an organized bonfire or fireworks displays, and ultimately not making the jobs of the crews any harder when their going to be exceptionally busy.”
Past disorder
Bonfire Night has in recent years seen repeated disorder and anti-social behaviour in some parts of Scotland.
Over 60 people were reported for their involvement in fireworks offences over the period last year.
During just a four-week period, 46 people were treated in hospital for firework-related injuries, with nearly half requiring plastic surgery or specialist healthcare, according to the Care of Burns in Scotland partnership.
STV NewsSeasoned firefighter Debbie McCafferty described the terrifying moment her crew came under attack with fireworks while responding to a bonfire in Carluke last year.
“I looked around to my left, and an unexploded firework had hit a trainee firefighter on his leg,” she said. “We both instinctively kicked it away, and then it went off. It was horrible, really horrible.”
Police Scotland said it is bringing more resources than ever before to tackle firework-related crimes.
Dubbed Operation Moonbeam 2025, the effort will see specialist public order officers join local policing divisions across Scotland.
STV NewsIn 2023, around 50 young people clashed with officers in what was described as “unprecedented levels of violence” in Edinburgh and four people, including a police officer, were taken to hospital in Glasgow following a “mass brawl” in the Barmulloch area.
Laws were brought in following major disorder in Dundee’s Kirkton area in 2022.
Animal stress
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has renewed its call for a national ban on the public sale of fireworks, saying “loud and unpredictable” pyrotechnics continue to cause distress to animals and people.
Watch
How to keep your dog safe during Bonfire Night?
The call comes one year after baby red panda Roxie died at Edinburgh Zoo as a result of stress caused by fireworks being let off across the city centre.
Her mother Ginger had died five days earlier, with zoologists saying her death could also have been attributed to stress from fireworks.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) via SuppliedThe wildlife conservation charity launched its campaign for a ban last year, and has worked with Police Scotland, local schools and the City of Edinburgh Council to raise awareness of the dangers fireworks can pose.
The campaign has led to the creation of a fireworks control zone around Corstorphine – where the zoo is located – for the first time this year.
The charity has welcomed the move, but called on the authorities to go further to protect people and animals.
Ben Supple, deputy chief executive of RZSS, said: “While the new exclusion zone is a very positive step, loud and unpredictable fireworks continue to cause real distress for animals and people across Scotland.
“Roxie’s death was a tragic reminder of how dangerous this issue can be.
“We hope everyone will think carefully about the impact of fireworks and support our call for a national ban on their public sale.”
Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman said: “For a lot of people and animals, the period from the end of October to Hogmanay can be a dangerous and stressful time, and Bonfire Night is often the worst of it.
“We saw that last year with the tragic and avoidable death of Roxie in Edinburgh Zoo, and there are many others who felt a great deal of anxiety.
“Fireworks are explosives and they are consistently misused but controls are minimal.
“There is a place for organised and well-managed events and displays, which can be important community celebrations that bring people together. But that does not justify the widespread sale of fireworks or the kind of dangerous, unorganised displays that we have seen in too many residential areas.
“Scottish Green MSPs and councillors have led campaigns to introduce Firework Control Zones in our cities and towns, which has limited the impact in some areas. I hope that we can build on that and finally secure an end to private sales.”
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