Police seek witnesses after major Bonfire Night disorder in Edinburgh

Police are urging witnesses to come forward after officers were targeted with fireworks and bottles in one of the main areas affected by disorder across Scotland on Bonfire Night.

A large policing operation attended numerous incidents across the country on Thursday.

One of the largest incidents saw around 20 youths in balaclavas build a blockade with pallets and wheelie bins across Oxgangs Road North in Edinburgh, while also reportedly throwing glass bottles at officers.

The group launched fireworks at emergency services as they attempted to deal with the disorder.

Several small fires in bins and the park were extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Bins were set alight in Oxgangs Supplied

No injuries were reported during the incident.

Police are now seeking witnesses and have said that those involved “will be brought to justice”.

It came as Operation Moonbeam got under way, which enabled specially trained officers to tackle firework-related violence and disorder across Bonfire Night.

It was Police Scotland’s largest officer deployment since US President Donald Trump’s visit to Aberdeenshire.

Firework Control Zones were put in place in parts of Glasgow and Edinburgh, banning the use of fireworks and sparklers in private spaces, such as gardens.

Police responded to incidents across the country on Thursday Supplied

Detective Inspector Sophie McWhinnie said: “Antisocial behaviour, disorder and targeting officers in this way is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

“Extensive enquiries are ongoing to identify those responsible and ensure they are brought to justice.

“We’re appealing for anyone who was in the area who witnessed what happened, or may have mobile phone footage, to get in touch.

“We’d also urge people to check any private CCTV, ring doorbells or dashcams in case they have captured anything which could be of significance to our investigation.”

Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 2538 of Thursday, November 5, 2026.