Emergency service workers were pelted with bricks and petrol bombs, and had fireworks shot at them during a night of chaos across Scotland, with some officers hospitalised.
There were 12 arrests across the country last night as police and the fire service were called out to hundreds of incidents relating to Bonfire Night.
Police Scotland said today there were 483 calls relating to fireworks offences night - down from 581 incidents in 2021.
As well as the 12 arrests, 15 people were also moved on from Dispersal Zones. Police said there will be further inquiries to identify more people suspected of being involved in illegal activity.
The majority of serious incidents took place within Edinburgh, police said, with emergency workers and members of the public targeted by youths with fireworks.
Just before 7pm, approximately 100 youths threw fireworks at members of the public and vehicles at Marischal Road, Edinburgh. A fire engine that was in attendance sustained a smashed window as a result of the disorder, though, thankfully, no one was injured.
Around 7.35pm on Ferry Road Drive in Edinburgh, police officers were attacked by a number of individuals throwing bricks at their vehicle. A Public Order vehicle was subsequently damaged when a brick was thrown at the windscreen.
Further incidents in the Drylaw area were reported between 9pm and 10pm when the fire service were attacked with fireworks while attempting to extinguish a wheelie bin fire on Ferry Road Drive, and had to withdraw.
Police were then subjected to threats and fireworks being thrown by a number of youths, who were also armed with scaffolding poles and a baseball bat.
Further incidents were then reported in the area, after youths began throwing fireworks at members of the public and at Drylaw Police Station. No injuries were reported and no damage was sustained to the building.
Around 8.40pm, a police vehicle was attacked with bricks in the Niddrie area resulting in a window being smashed and an officer sustaining a minor cut to their lip. An SFRS spokeswoman said that "a number of missiles were thrown at crews and appliances" but no injuries had been reported among its staff.
Around the same time within Sighthill, Edinburgh, local officers were within their vehicle when it was targeted by youths with bricks who smashed the vehicle’s windows. This resulted in both officers being injured.
They were taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. One sustained a head injury that required stitches, while the other needed treatment for glass in their eye.
An hour later, within the Duddingston area of Edinburgh, a number of police vehicles had petrol bombs thrown at them by a number of youths. There were also incidents of roads being barricaded by the suspects, which required police to attend and deal with. There were no injuries reported during these incidents.
Around the same time in Glasgow, a male outside the OVO Hydro threw a flare into a crowd of people. He was detained by security staff at the scene. Following police enquiries, two people were arrested in connection with this matter.
During a call-out to an illegal bonfire at Langside Street, Clydebank, members of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were attacked by 20 youths using fireworks.
One police vehicle sustained very minor damage and one male was arrested for assault and culpable and reckless conduct, cops said.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, Gold Commander for Operation Moonbeam said: “Our initial analysis of the incidents arising on Bonfire Night show that, for the overwhelming majority of the country, people enjoyed the occasion safely and responsibly.
“However, in some areas, particularly Edinburgh, various individuals have shown blatant disregard for the safety of the public and the emergency services and have actively targeted police officers and firefighters during the course of their duties.
“This behaviour is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. I want to make it abundantly clear that considerable follow-up inquiry will be conducted in relation to all of these incidents, utilising all resources at our disposal to identify those responsible and bring them to justice. Do not think that just because you evaded police on the night, that we won’t be knocking on your door in the near future.
“I would ask anyone who has information relating to the offences observed last night to contact police via 101 so we can investigate appropriately.
“What the events of last night demonstrate to me is the importance of having a robust frontline policing service that can be readily supported by national and specialist colleagues when required. Similarly, working in partnership with other emergency colleagues and local authorities is equally important to ensuring we are deploying the correct level of resource to the right areas at the right time.
“All of those who were on duty during Bonfire Night showed exceptional professionalism and dedication to protecting communities from harm during extremely difficult and challenging circumstances. I am grateful for all of their efforts.”
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