Police deploying extra resources around Bonfire Night after last year’s disorder

Police Scotland is bringing more resources than ever before to tackle firework-related crimes as Bonfire Night approaches.

The force’s effort to curb such incidents, dubbed Operation Moonbeam 2025, will see specialist public order officers join local policing divisions across Scotland.

Police Scotland says the same time last year saw a reduction in the number of serious incidents and one officer was injured, compared with 62 in 2023.

However, there was still a significant level of violence directed towards officers, and police in turn are bringing in specialist support, while officers in Edinburgh will be equipped with body worn video as the national roll-out continues.

Operation Moonbeam was first launched in 2018, following serious disorder in various parts of the country which saw one officer in Edinburgh seriously injured when she was struck by a firework.

There has been an over all reduction in such incidents around Bonfire Night since, but police say emergency services being targeted has led to their increased presence.

Assistant chief constable Tim Mairs, gold commander for Operation Moonbeam, said: “Last year, following Bonfire Night, I reflected on what was a successful policing operation that saw a reduction in serious disorder offences and a dramatic reduction in the number of officers injured.

“As part of this year’s campaign, we will shortly be publishing some compelling stories from members of Police Scotland, Lothian Busses and affected communities highlighting the significant impact being involved in, or subject to attacks with fireworks can have.

“However, we still saw unacceptable levels of violence and disorder in parts of Glasgow and Edinburgh, leaving communities in these areas in a state of fear and alarm.

“This was wholly unacceptable, and we immediately launched a major criminal investigation to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.”

He added: “Over 60 people have been reported for their involvement in fireworks offences over the Bonfire Night period for 2024.

“I want to make it clear our pursuit of offenders for any crimes this year will be equally unrelenting. If you chose to create fear in your community, and if you chose to attack those who are deployed to keep people safe, you will face justice.

“We will use all available technology, resources and policing tactics at our disposal to keep our people safe while they, in turn work with other emergency service partners to protect the public from harm. Please help us make Bonfire Night 2025 a safe event for everyone looking to enjoy it.”

Community safety minister Siobhian Brown said: “We want everyone to enjoy Bonfire Night and I urge those planning to use fireworks to do so safely and responsibly.

“Misuse of fireworks puts communities and emergency services at risk and will not be tolerated.

“While Police Scotland reported a reduction in serious disorder on Bonfire Night last year, the Scottish Government will continue to support the police and courts in taking firm action against those who do break the law.

“We have brought in a number of measures to improve firework safety, including a ban on providing fireworks to under-18s and making attacks on emergency workers using fireworks an aggravating factor that courts can take into account when sentencing offenders.”

She added: “We have also provided local authorities with powers to designate firework control zones in local areas and a number of these will be in place this year.

“My thanks go to all the emergency services who have been working hard to ensure a safe Bonfire Night and who will again be on the front line to keep our communities safe.”

Andrew Laing, deputy crown agent for local court at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: “Those who carry out reckless and dangerous public offending throughout the period of Bonfire Night can expect to be dealt with rigorously by the justice system.

“Those deliberately putting other people in danger may be held in custody by the police, remanded by the courts, and expect to receive a custodial sentence at the conclusion of the court case.

“Anyone seeking to obstruct or attack an emergency worker will be treated with the full force of the law. We stand fully behind justice partners in ensuring that the public and members of the emergency services are protected at all times.

“Our message to people who carry out this type of offending is that it carries serious consequences. We will always prosecute such matters where there is a sufficiency of evidence and it is in the public interest to do so.”