Firefighters attacked on Bonfire Night as crews take 1,000 calls

Firefighters says they responded to more than 1,000 calls on Bonfire Night with crews “bombarded” by missiles and fireworks.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said there were six incidents where teams were attacked – three in Clydebank, two in Edinburgh and one in Blackridge in West Lothian.

Police officers were also attacked with fireworks, bricks and bottles but said incidents of serious disorder had fallen this year.

The force said the attacks on emergency services were “wholly unacceptable” and officers were working to trace those responsible.

Andy Watt, Deputy Chief Officer for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said the attacks prevented crews from dealing with emergencies swiftly.

He said: “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.”

Police were called to tackle disorder in Edinburgh, Glasgow and other parts of the country.

The force said large groups of youths had gathered in Niddrie, Sighthill and Moredun in Edinburgh and thrown fireworks, bottles and bricks at cars and police vehicles.

A police helicopter was brought in to assist with the operation.

Niddrie resident George Pringle, 72, has lived on Hay Avenue for 10 years – he heard fireworks being set off near his home but kept his curtains closed.

“I could hear big bangs which were setting off the car alarms,” he said. “I just turned the TV up and let them get on with it.”

Earlier this week Mr Pringle witnessed a large bonfire in the middle of the street outside his house.

“The flames were as high as a man and I saw about five teenagers around it,” he said.

“There is nothing we can do about it. They need to stop selling them fireworks in the local shops.”

Control zones banning the use of fireworks in certain areas of Edinburgh are in place until 10 November for the first time.

Parts of Glasgow were due to be covered by a similar ban but it was was delayed until next year due to a council error.

Police said there were pockets of disorder in Glasgow, with youths throwing fireworks at members of the public, vehicles and police officers.

Footage taken in Pollokshields, in the south side of the city, showed fireworks being set off by a group in the middle of the street.

No one was injured in incidents in Glasgow and Edinburgh, police confirmed.

A 25-year-old man was arrested and a “significant quantity” of fireworks seized after a search of a van in the Drumchapel.

The force said the fireworks were being sold to the general public, including to under-age children.

Meanwhile, in Peterhead at about 21:20, a man was hit by a van driven by a group who, moments before, had set off a pyrotechnic in a skate park in Aalesund Road.

The 33-year-old was treated by paramedics at the scene but did not need further medical attention.

Police are working to identify the suspects and anyone with information has been asked to come forward.

Overall, the force said the incidents of serious disorder had fallen this year.

As part of Operation Moonbeam, a police operation launched in 2020 to deal with disorder at this time of year, specialist resources were deployed 26 times on 5 November last year – this year there were 18 deployments.

The number of injured officers has also reduced significantly – 62 last year compared to one this year.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, gold commander for Operation Moonbeam said challenging scenes had not escalated to mass disorder as it had last year.

He said: “Nevertheless, the levels of violence and aggression police officers, fire service and ambulance service personnel faced in some areas was wholly unacceptable and a significant investigative response is now underway to identify each and every one of those involved and bring them to justice.

“Throughout Operation Moonbeam, we have utilised all legislation and policing powers at our disposal and we will continue our discussions with local authorities and Scottish government to explore further opportunities for reducing fireworks offences for next year and moving forward.”