Reduction in Bonfire Night disruption but attacks ‘unacceptable and terrifying’

There has been an overall reduction in Bonfire Night calls and disorder but attacks on police and emergency services are still “unacceptable and terrifying”, a police chief said.

Seven people were arrested as Police Scotland’s largest deployment of officers since the visit of US President Donald Trump in 2025 saw emergency services targeted with fireworks and a police vehicle set alight in Glasgow.

Firefighters were also forced to withdraw as they faced anti-social behaviour while attending to bin fires in the south of Edinburgh.

The incidents came amid a large police operation to deal with disorder on Bonfire Night, known as Operation Amberlight.

Speaking at Fettes police station on Friday morning, Chief Superintendent David Robertson of Police Scotland said officers saw a reduction in serious calls and “far fewer” deployments of specialist police.

However, he acknowledged that there were still attacks on officers, firefighters and the Scottish Ambulance Service during the night.

“We saw a reduction in serious calls requiring specialist support, with public order officers only being deployed at one location for a yet relatively short period of time,” Mr Robertson said.

“But sadly, we did still see attacks on police officers, firefighters, and the Scottish Ambulance Service, which is completely unacceptable.”

He said these attacks were “really concerning”, and he recognised that the behaviour seen in some areas of Scotland was “really terrifying”.

“I think in previous years we’ve seen disorder like that in multiple locations across (Edinburgh) for a long period of time,” Mr Robertson said.

“Last night in Edinburgh, it was one area. It was localised. It was short-lived.

“So I do think that’s a positive.

“But nonetheless, that behaviour is completely unacceptable, and those who were involved will be identified and brought to justice.”

In Oxgangs and around Colinton Mains in Edinburgh, bins were knocked over and set on fire in the road on Thursday evening.

There was a large police presence in the area, as trouble involving groups of young people with fireworks was reported.

Locals said that groups of youths were launching fireworks at emergency services as they attempted to deal with the disorder.

In Glasgow, where November 5 celebrations coincided with a major European football clash and a possible protest, Police Scotland said officers and ambulance crews were called to reports of an injured male on Greenside Street shortly before 8pm.

Both crews came under attack and were targeted with fireworks.

Speaking about the incident on Friday, Mr Robertson said an ambulance staff member and a police officer both sustained minor injuries.

“Thankfully, these injuries were minor, but they’re shocking and unacceptable nonetheless,” he told the Press Association.

“During that incident, our vehicle was targeted.

“It was set on fire, and that vehicle is now off the road and can’t be used to support communities where it’s much needed.”

A 16-year-old boy was arrested, police said.

City of Edinburgh Council leader Jane Meagher said the overall picture was a “good one” and declared the Bonfire Night response in Edinburgh a “success”.

“I’m not ignoring the fact that there were some pockets of disruption, but overall Bonfire Night went off very successfully,” Ms Meagher told PA.

“There was no curtailment to public transport, for example, and any incidents that did occur, particularly in the south west of the city, were dealt with efficiently and quickly.”

She added: “It shows how if we work together, we can tackle the worst of these kinds of incidents and help people to enjoy Bonfire Night in the way that we’re entitled to.”

Scottish Tory justice spokesman Stephen Kerr said the “full force of the law” should be brought down on those who attacked emergency service staff, and he called on Justice Secretary Neil Gray to make a statement in Holyrood on the scenes next week.