Police condemn ‘unacceptable behaviour’ amid Bonfire Night disorder

Emergency services had to deal with “significant disorder” in Scotland’s two largest cities on Bonfire Night, with firefighters coming under attack and fireworks and bricks thrown at police officers.

Police Scotland condemned the “unacceptable behaviour” of those involved in such incidents, with Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs promising arrests would be made in the coming days and weeks.

Meanwhile, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said it received more than 1,000 calls from the public during an eight-hour period on Bonfire Night – with six reported attacks on fire crews within three hours.

Police Scotland said it had responded to 18 incidents on Tuesday evening as part of Operation Moonbeam, which aims to deal with Bonfire Night disorder, down from 26 in 2023

A total of 62 officers were injured last year, but Mr Mairs said there was a “dramatic fall” in the number of police hurt.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme the police officer said: “It  was very encouraging to see a reduction on the night in the level of significant disorder and a dramatic fall in the number of officers who were injured.”

However, he added that it was “still a very challenging evening” with “some significant disorder in a number of areas of Edinburgh and also in Glasgow”.

Police in protective equipment, wearing helmets and with shields, were deployed in areas of Edinburgh, including Moredun, Niddrie and Broomhouse, with fireworks, bricks, masonry and bottles being thrown at officers, he said.

And vehicles belonging to bus firm Lothian Buses were damaged with two attacks on fire appliances in the capital, Mr Mairs added.

He said: “I think the underlying issue was people who felt they have the right to not just attack the police, but sadly we also had some attacks on the fire services.”

The police officer added: “These incidents have left communities alarmed and the public, police officers and other emergency service workers in danger.

“This is unacceptable behaviour and the focus for me is now on a very significant investigative approach.

“We will be looking at all the footage we captured last night and we will be making follow-up arrests in the coming days and weeks.”

SFRS said as well as two incidents of fire appliances being attacked in Edinburgh, there were three attacks in Clydebank and one in Blackridge in West Lothian.

Initial figures indicate that crews responded to approximately 347 bonfires and 598 incidents across the country between 3.30pm and 11.30pm on November 5.

Andy Watt, SFRS deputy chief officer, praised the “professionalism and resilience” of frontline crews.

He said: “Operations control firefighters answered over 1,000 calls tonight and have once again worked tirelessly to ensure we respond to those who need us the most.

“Unfortunately, several of our crews came under attack across Scotland, with six attacks within three hours.

“Crews were bombarded with missiles and fireworks while responding to emergency incidents.

“These attacks prevent our crews from bringing any emergency to a safe and swift conclusion, and 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 across the bonfire period.”