You will not evade justice, police warn youths behind fireworks disorder

Police have vowed to trace those responsible for multiple outbreaks of firework-related disorder in Edinburgh which saw a female officer injured and vehicles damaged.

Groups of youths targeted police vehicles with fireworks and other projectiles such as bricks as officers responded to numerous reports of anti-social behaviour across the Niddrie area of the capital.

One policewoman was injured when the window of the vehicle she was inside was smashed by a brick while local buses were also pelted with projectiles, police said.

A 14-year-old male has been arrested and charged in connection with alleged fireworks offences and further inquiries are ongoing to identify all those involved.

Police also revealed a quantity of fireworks and petrol were seized at an address in the Magdalene Gardens area on Thursday after intelligence was received that it was going to be used to create disorder.

The trouble comes almost a year after similar firework-related disorder in the city led to 26 people being charged with a total of 51 offences around Bonfire Night.

The ages of those charged ranged between 12 and 34, with the majority in their mid to late teens.

Elsewhere in Scotland on Thursday night, youths were also believed to be behind a number of incidents in the Kirkton area of Dundee where fireworks were set off and other projectiles thrown.

Chief Superintendent David Robertson, commander for Edinburgh division, said the disorder in the capital was carried out by “a minority of individuals” who subjected emergency service workers to “horrific levels of violence and aggression”.

He added: “Thankfully, local policing teams were bolstered with specialist colleagues who helped bring these incidents to a safe conclusion, and investigations are under way to identify everyone who was involved.

“I want to make it clear to anyone who thinks they will evade justice because they weren’t apprehended this evening, they are very much mistaken. You will be identified during our inquiries, and you will be held to account for your actions.

“Our local policing teams will continue to be supported by Operation Moonbeam resources over the next week to ensure any further incidents of disorder or fireworks-related criminality are appropriately dealt with.”

Chief Inspector Colin Echevarria, local area commander for Tayside, said: “Officers patrolling in the Kirkton area of Dundee attended a small number of anti-social behaviour incidents on Thursday.

“These included responding to reports of fireworks being set off, eggs and bottles being thrown and a small fire.

“There have been no arrests, and no reported injuries to officers or the public.

“I would like to thank the local community and our partners at Dundee City Council for their co-operation and support.

“There will be an increased police presence over the next few days in the Kirkton area to keep people safe in the lead up to Bonfire Night.”

Anyone with information on those involved in the disorder is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.