Fireworks were launched at police during disorder in the south of Edinburgh on Bonfire Night, with no officers injured in the incidents on Thursday evening.
The trouble came during a large policing operation across Scotland for November 5, with a significant police presence in the Oxgangs and Colinton Mains areas after reports of trouble involving groups of young people.
Bins set alight and fireworks aimed at emergency services
In Oxgangs and around Colinton Mains, bins were knocked over and set on fire in the road on Thursday evening. Locals said groups of youths were launching fireworks at emergency services as they dealt with the disorder.
One person, who did not want to be named, told the Press Association: “They’re setting fire in the park and shooting fireworks at the police and firemen.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 5.30pm on Thursday, November 5 2026, we received a report of a group of youths creating a blockage in the road on Oxgangs Road North, Edinburgh.
“Officers attended and fireworks were set off in their direction, but no injuries have been reported.
“Several small fires in bins and the park were extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
“Officers remain in the area, and inquiries are ongoing to trace those involved.”
Fire service called to Wester Hailes
In Wester Hailes, the fire service attended a fire in a grass area near houses in Murrayburn Park. Firefighters were called to the scene of a bonfire shortly after 7pm, with one fire engine called out to extinguish the flames.
As part of its Bonfire Night policing operation, Police Scotland called in assistance from forces in England and Wales, mounting its biggest deployment of officers since the visit of US President Donald Trump last year.
The November 5 celebrations coincide with a major European football clash and a possible protest in Glasgow, with officers from Avon and Somerset, Hampshire, Hertfordshire and South Wales on the streets of Scotland.
Police prepared for the evening
Chief Superintendent David Robertson of Police Scotland said the force was prepared. Speaking to the Press Association on Thursday afternoon, Mr Robertson said he is “confident that we’re ready for whatever may happen this evening”.
“Tonight is about capitalising on the additional capability and capacity we’ve got deployed tonight,” he told officers at a Fettes police station briefing before they deployed. “We need to respond effectively and we need to make our presence felt when it’s required.”
Mr Robertson said the vast majority of people who are out will likely be enjoying bonfire night peacefully. “Our job is to protect them from those who may have other intentions,” he said. “If we do see disorder, my ask of you tonight is really simple: that you respond effectively to help protect the communities that might be affected.”
At the briefing in the Fettes police headquarters in Edinburgh, he asked officers to be proactive, decisive and disciplined. “If it’s necessary to make arrests, then please do so,” he said.
Mr Robertson added that officers should be “disciplined and decisive at the same time” to bring disorder to a conclusion “quickly, safely and effectively”.
“It is not lost on me the additional training and responsibility you are all voluntarily taking on to go out and protect our communities tonight, and you may face considerable risk in doing so,” he said. “I am very grateful for your commitment. So, please look after yourselves and each other, and make sure that everyone gets home safely tonight.”
Chief constable and minister respond
Police Scotland chief constable Jo Farrell also addressed officers at the Edinburgh station before they deployed, saying she is “absolutely confident” in officers ahead of the evening.
Earlier, community safety minister Kirsten Oswald told BBC Radio Scotland’s Breakfast programme that police forces calling in help from other parts of the country under mutual aid arrangements is “something that happens on a reasonably regular basis”.
She added: “It’s really important that we do have the officers that are needed, the provisions that are needed this evening.
“It is quite a unique set of circumstances that the police are facing. They have the big football game, the potential disorder and, of course, Bonfire Night is already a very significant night in the calendar for all of our emergency services.
“The work that our emergency services do this evening is absolutely critical. I absolutely stand behind them in that, and would ask people to please consider their own behaviour, behave in an orderly manner. If you’re going to enjoy fireworks, do that safely.”
