Seven people arrested as fireworks thrown at emergency services and police car set alight on Bonfire Night

Key Points

Over 800 calls made to Scottish Fire and Rescue Service over Bonfire Night
Police targeted in Oxgangs Road North in Edinburgh after group created blockade and set it alight
Fireworks thrown at police and public vehicles in Gracemount and Gilmerton areas
Police and fire crews attacked while assisting injured male in Glasgow
Illegal fires set in Dundee and 16-year-old arrested in Glasgow
Over 30 dispersal orders issued in Glasgow and Edinburgh
‘Unacceptable’ number of attacks on police and emergency services

Seven people have been arrested across Scotland following disorder on Bonfire Night, which saw fireworks thrown at emergency crews and a police car set alight.

Police received more than 1,000 firework-related calls between Halloween and Bonfire Night, with upwards of 800 reports being made to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service on Thursday night.

Specialist resources supported local teams on Thursday as part of Operation Amberlight, while also dealing with Celtic’s Europa League clash with Besiktas in Glasgow and a potential protest in the east end of the city.

The number of calls made between October 31 and November 5 rose from 833 in 2025, but there was a reduction in incidents requiring a specialist public order response.

Officers attended Oxgangs Road North in Edinburgh at around 5pm on Thursday after a group created a blockade in the road and set it alight.

Police were targeted at the scene, with Operation Amberlight resources responding in support. The group then made off from the area.

Police responded to incidents across the country on Thursday Supplied

Fireworks were also thrown at police and public vehicles in the Gracemount and Gilmerton areas of Edinburgh.

Similar incidents were reported in Clydebank at around 6pm, with officers being targeted when they responded.

In Glasgow, police officers and a Scottish Ambulance Service crew were attacked with fireworks after being called to assist an injured male in Greenside Street at 7.55pm.

A police vehicle was set alight and seriously damaged, and minor injuries were sustained by one officer and one ambulance staff member.

After Operation Amberlight resources were deployed, a 16-year-old male was arrested.

Reports were received of illegal fires being set by a “significant” group of individuals in the Kirkton area of Dundee.

Specialist resources were made available to officers but were not required and were later stood down.

Bins were set alight in Oxgangs Supplied

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service received more than 800 calls concerning fireworks and bonfires between 5.30pm and 11.30pm on Thursday.

Attacks on crews were also reported in Castlemilk, Knightswood, Cumnock, Larkhall and Blackridge.

A total of 21 Dispersal Orders were issued in Edinburgh, with 13 being handed out in Glasgow.

No one was charged in relation to breaches of firework control zones.

Police say investigations will now commence into offences committed across Scotland, with witnesses urged to come forward.

‘Unacceptable number of incidents’

Chief superintendent David Robertson, Gold Commander for Operation Amberlight said: “While we have seen a rise in the overall number of calls relating to fireworks incidents between Halloween and Bonfire Night 2026, when compared to last year, I am encouraged by the reduction in serious incidents requiring us to mobilise specialist resources during this time.

“The communities of Scotland have overwhelmingly shown their commitment to enjoying both Halloween and Bonfire Night in the proper spirit.

“Furthermore, the collaboration and readiness from our key partners to stand shoulder-to-shoulder alongside us during the planning and delivery of this operation has been exceptional.

“Nevertheless, we have seen, yet again, an unacceptable number of incidents where the police and our emergency service colleagues have been attacked with fireworks and other projectiles.

“This resulted in one of our officers and a colleague from the Scottish Ambulance Service sustaining minor injuries.

“This simply must stop. Police officers, ambulance staff and firefighters and there to protect communities – not the be the target of violence.

“The behaviour we saw tonight resulted in an ambulance colleague sustaining a minor injury and left one of our own vehicles badly damaged, meaning it is out of service for use within our communities.

“I want to make it clear that thorough investigations will now take place to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.

“Despite these challenges, however, I do want to recognise the outstanding support we’ve seen from the majority of the public, both in the run-up to Halloween and Bonfire Night and on the evenings themselves.

“It’s been heartening to see the positive level of community engagement and in many instances, this has led to vital intelligence, which helped seize significant quantities of fireworks before they could be used for criminal activity and to disrupt the activities of those planning to involve themselves in disorder.”

A proportionate policing response was also in place for the Celtic vs Besiktas Europa League match, which passed without serious incident.

Police say there was no resource required in relation to information circulating online about a planned protest in Glasgow.