Fourteen charged after emergency services attacked in Bonfire Night disorder in Edinburgh

Over a dozen people have been charged following unrest on Bonfire Night which saw emergency services attacked with bricks, petrol bombs and fireworks.

Police revealed that 14 people have been charged following a number of serious incidents that occurred in Edinburgh, where members of the public, firefighters and police officers were targeted by youths.

The night of chaos saw emergency services deployed to incidents in Niddrie, Sighthill, Drylaw and Pilton, where footage shared online showed perpetrators aiming fireworks at response vehicles and passing cars.

Three officers required medical attention after their vehicles were smashed with bricks, with one treated for a head injury which required stitches, another for glass in their eye and a third for a cut lip.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said : “As a result of enquiries, 14 individuals have been charged in connection with disorder in Edinburgh on Bonfire Night, 2022.

“Enquiries are ongoing.”

Chief inspector Neil Wilson, Police Scotland’s divisional commender for north-west Edinburgh, said: “November 5 saw a small minority of individuals across Edinburgh engaged in truly reckless behaviour on Bonfire Night.

“Inquiries continue apace to bring further offenders to justice and work is ongoing in partnership with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to ensure that more serious offences are dealt with at the appropriate level.”

Ch Insp Wilson said it is anticipated the investigation will be concluded by the end of January and further updates would be given “in due course”.

He added: “We are indebted to Edinburgh’s communities for their support and assistance and will continue to work for them and with them, alongside stakeholders, to identify and implement effective interventions to redirect young people towards more positive life choices.”