THOSE involved in Bonfire Night disorder will be “brought to account”, police have said, as criminal investigations into incidents across Scotland get under way.
Parts of Scotland witnessed “significant” disorder on Tuesday night, with the Niddrie, Calder Road, Gracemount and Moredun areas of Edinburgh and Pollokshields area of Glasgow being most severely affected.
Police and other emergency services worked with police “assets” made specially available under Operation Moonbeam to tackle violence and damage caused by large groups of youths who threw fireworks and other projectiles at officers, vehicles and public property.
Residents in parts of Edinburgh and Glasgow were “left terrified” as fires were lit and fireworks were recklessly set off.
One car dealership in Calder Road in Edinburgh reportedly seeing 21 of its cars damaged by fireworks.
In some incidents in Glasgow, emergency services responding to unauthorised bonfires were met with large groups of what police described as “hostile youths”.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, Gold Commander for Operation Moonbeam, said: “Now that our Bonfire Night deployments have stood down, our investigation teams will begin reviewing all the evidence we obtained through body worn video, air support unit footage and statements from the public.
“This will help us establish the identities of those who chose to cause harm within our communities and who sought to attack and injure emergency service workers.
“While I am encouraged that we didn’t see the same levels of serious disorder, when compared to last year, I am under no illusion that that actions of a minority of individuals still had a significant and detrimental impact on various communities across Scotland.
“Their actions will not be tolerated, and detectives are working tirelessly to make arrests and ensure all of those involved in the offences we witnessed are brought to account.”
Police said that 19 arrests were made in connection with fireworks offences between October 31 and November 6, with six people being charged under the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles Act and a further 26 charges brought for associated criminality.
Police said more arrests are expected in the coming days.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said it received more than 1000 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.
Police have established a Major Incident Public Portal, allowing members of the public to share video and photo evidence of Bonfire Night offences taking place in their area.
Anyone with footage that can assist officers in identifying people involved in fireworks-related crime can submit it by clicking the link here.
