LOTHIAN Buses has withdrawn services in the Niddrie area of Edinburgh as it braces for potential anti-social behaviour on Bonfire Night.
The bus operator previously cancelled a number of its services in Edinburgh on Halloween, after disorder which saw two teenagers charged after police were targeted with fireworks.
It comes as police brace for another night of disorder, after riots broke out in Niddrie on Bonfire Night last year.
Fire crews were attacked and eight police officers injured in disorder which saw petrol bombs and fireworks thrown at riot police.
Niddrie is part of a Firework Control Zone, making it a criminal offence to set off fireworks unless licensed through the Edinburgh council, from November 1-10.
In a post on Twitter/X, the operator wrote: “Lothian adopt a zero-tolerance approach to all instances of antisocial behaviour. The safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and customers is our absolute priority.
“This evening (Tuesday 5 November) we have taken the difficult but necessary decision to withdraw all services from the Niddrie area until the end of service tonight.
📢 Please visit our Service Updates page for up-to-date information on services across our network: https://t.co/W2c2unPDnL pic.twitter.com/6H0Y7yKyHm
— Lothian Buses (@on_lothianbuses) November 5, 2024
“This will affect Services 2, 12, 14, 21, 30, 46, 48 and 400.
“We sincerely apologise to all customers who will be directly impacted and thank them for their patience and understanding during these circumstances which are outwith Lothian’s control.
“Our operational team is monitoring our network and will withdraw further services from areas where the safety of our colleagues and customers could be at risk.
“We urge anyone with information regarding antisocial behaviour or acts of public disorder to report it directly to Police Scotland on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
A number of police dispersal zones are in place in Edinburgh, which became enforceable from 2pm on Friday, November 1, until midnight on November 5.
These will be in place in Gorgie, Saughton, Oxgangs, Liberton, Gilmerton, Gracemount, Portobello, Niddrie, Moredun, Muirhouse, Craigentinny, Pilton, and the city centre.
When the dispersal zones are in place, officers can order groups to disperse, leave the area unless they live there, and stop them from returning for a period of time.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We use this power where we have reasonable grounds to believe that the presence or behaviour of a group of two or more people in any public place is causing, or likely to cause, alarm or distress to any members of the public.
“If you knowingly contravene a direction given by an officer within a Dispersal Zone under these powers, you can be subject to an arrest without warrant.”
For more information and for any service updates, click here.
