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.
Bonfire Night has in recent years seen repeated disorder and anti-social behaviour in some parts of Scotland, with over 60 people reported for their involvement in fireworks offences over the period last year.
Riot officers have previously been deployed to combat disorder in Edinburgh and Glasgow, with police and fire crews attacked with projectiles.
Laws were brought in following major disorder in Dundee’s Kirkton area in 2022.
The temporary bans, which run into early November, mean it will be illegal to set off fireworks in designated neighbourhoods, including private gardens, though organised displays will still go ahead.
Offenders face fines of up to £5,000 or six months in prison under special powers.
Police Scotland has said they are dedicating “more resources than ever before” to tackling crime involving fireworks this year.
Glasgow: ‘Terrifying’ Bonfire Night scenes
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STV NewsThree areas of Glasgow – Pollokshields, Govanhill and Broomhouse – have been designated control zones following what residents describe as years of “terrifying” disorder.
Last year, police deemed Pollokshields too dangerous to enter due to what was described as a fireworks riot, instead keeping public order officers on standby.
Locals say there has been “sporadic” activity during the evenings over the last couple of weeks – and hope new rules will make the streets safer.
“What happens is people come with a number of these boxes and set them off all the time and fire them here in the middle of the street”, local Danny Philips said.
“You’d think that a bomb had gone off or something.”
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STV NewsLocal resident Roz Wilson said she also witnessed a bonfire on top of a sofa: “The whole thing was an inferno, and you can see the result of that. It’s literally burned away all the paint.”
Roz said campaigners were “devastated” when Glasgow City Council missed the deadline to enforce an exclusion zone for Pollokshields last year.
“We were so gutted. I hope this makes a difference.”
Danny said residents had pushed for change for years.
STV News“We actually wanted a full ban on fireworks except for organised displays. The Government themselves persuaded us the way to do it was these exclusion zones.
“We thought it would come with resources, a framework, a strategy behind it, and that’s what we are calling for. We need more police on the street and need them to deal with it. We’ve had no info as residents about what’s happening with this exclusion zone.”
Council teams have been clearing flammable materials as the ban begins.
Councillor Laura Doherty, city convenor for neighbourhood services, said: “We’ve engaged schools, youth groups, and residents and have got out material through doors, hand-delivered letters to residents, and flyers in public spaces about the control zone.
“I hope this goes some way to show how we intend to engage with residents going forward.”
Glasgow South West MP Dr Zubir Ahmed welcomed the measures.
STV News“Fireworks have blighted the community in Pollokshields for over 20 years, as long as I can remember, living in and around the area”, he said.
“I appreciate it’s not perfect, but it’s a good start. I think it will bring peace and harmony to an area subjected to egregious levels of anti-social behaviour last year.”
Police say they are taking a zero-tolerance approach this year, with officers working in schools and youth groups to explain the risks and consequences of firework misuse.
Local police constable Jaz Ahmed is one of those engaging with young people.
He said: “It’s basically about teaching kids the dangers of playing with fireworks and the consequences – injuries, effects on other communities, and the criminal charges if they have been caught messing around with fireworks.
“We’re taking a zero-tolerance approach.”
Edinburgh expands zones after disorder
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Edinburgh has expanded its firework-free areas to nine neighbourhoods following trials in four locations last year and after the deaths of a baby red panda and its mother at Edinburgh Zoo, which was linked to loud bangs during Bonfire Night.
Zones will now cover Balerno, Calton Hill, Niddrie, Seafield, Moredun, Gracemount, Longstone, Sighthill and Corstorphine.
Two years ago in Niddrie, a large group of youths threw fireworks and other projectiles at police, vehicles and public property, which resulted in 26 being charged.
On Thursday, a community clean-up got under way to prepare for the restrictions.
Free skips have also been placed in the area to remove potential bonfire materials.
STV NewsEdinburgh East MP Chris Bowie said: “Craigmillar is a brilliant community affected badly by Bonfire Night disorder over the last couple of years.
“Nursery children have been out doing litter picks to get the area spruced up a bit, so people feel more pride in their community.
“Anti-social behaviour is serious, and there’s a lot we can do to mitigate these types of things. It’s a good way to reassure residents – it won’t be anything like last year.”
Places for People’s area manager, Cheryl Neill, said: “We’re coming together to present a whole united front to the community to keep people safe.
“People are really concerned; disorder in previous years has given Niddrie and Craigmillar a bad reputation. There is a community spirit here, and we want to bring that back by doing this event.
STV News“We hope it sends a message: we’re all working collectively to keep the area safe and show our presence.”
Police inspector Scott Kennedy said Bonfire Night is “a really difficult night” for emergency services.
More than 60 police officers were injured in 2023, many after coming under attack with fireworks and petrol bombs, while the Scottish fire service reported nine attacks on crews on Bonfire Night that year.
“We’ve seen officers injured over recent years; we can’t tolerate that any further,” Kennedy said. “It’s a really difficult night for emergency services. It impacts our ability to respond to other incidents.
STV News“In recent years, we have seen escalating violent scenes, which are upsetting for local community members.
“Hopefully, we can all help put a stop to it and have a safe and enjoyable bonfire period.”
Scotland’s Firework Control Zones were introduced following a major riot in Dundee in 2022, where police were attacked with projectiles, property was vandalised, and 33 people were charged.
Despite the Kirkton area seeing further Bonfire Night incidents in the years since, Dundee City Council says it will rely on policing rather than exclusion zones.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, Gold Commander for Operation Moonbeam, said: “Firework Control Zones are a very useful tool for police to utilise, but they are only one tool at our disposal and where they are not in place, we can deploy all other necessary or relevant resource to address any ongoing issue.
“We can also utilise all legislation at our disposal to bring offenders to justice as well as implementing our own Dispersal Zones, if we feel them to be necessary.”
Glasgow’s restrictions run until November 10, while Edinburgh’s last until November 9.
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