Seven people were arrested on Bonfire Night in Scotland after a police van was set alight and emergency crews were attacked with fireworks. Police Scotland, however, praised a reduction in disorder, noting that communities across the country marked the occasion "in the proper spirit."
Operation Amberlight and the Scale of the Response
Operation Amberlight saw specialist police resources support local policing teams in responding to Bonfire Night disorder, while also policing the Celtic vs Besiktas Europa League match and a potential protest in the East End of Glasgow. The Halloween and Bonfire Night policing operation concluded just before 1am, described as one of the most complex and demanding in recent memory and the biggest since President Trump's visit to Scotland last September.
In total, 1,024 fireworks-related calls were received between October 31 and November 5, an increase from the 833 calls received in 2025. Despite this rise, there was a reduction in the number of incidents requiring a specialist public order response across the country.
Incidents in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Beyond
During the evening, officers in Edinburgh responded to Oxgangs Road North at around 5pm after a group created a blockade in the road and set it alight. Police in attendance were then targeted with fireworks, and Operation Amberlight resources responded in support. The group made off from the area.
There were also incidents of police and public vehicles having fireworks thrown at them in the Gracemount and Gilmerton areas of the city. Similar offences occurred in Clydebank around 6pm, where there were reports of members of the public having fireworks thrown at them, and officers were also targeted when they attended.
At around 7.55pm, police in Glasgow responded alongside the Scottish Ambulance Service to a report of an injured male in Greenside Street. During this time, both crews were attacked with fireworks, resulting in a police vehicle being set alight and seriously damaged. One officer and a paramedic suffered minor injuries, and a 16-year-old male was arrested.
Between 5.30pm and 11.30pm, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service received over 800 calls relating to fireworks and bonfires. During this time, there were also attacks on crews deployed to the Castlemilk and Knightswood areas of Glasgow, Cumnock in Ayrshire, Larkhall in South Lanarkshire, and Blackridge, West Lothian. Fire crews were not hurt, and their appliances were not damaged.
Dispersal Orders and Match Policing
In Edinburgh, 21 Dispersal Orders were issued, while 13 were issued in Glasgow. No one was charged in relation to any breaches of Firework Control Zones.
Police were also on hand for the Celtic vs Besiktas Europa League match, but the event passed without serious incident. There was no police response needed in relation to an apparently planned protest in Glasgow either.
Investigations into the seven arrests are now underway, and anyone with information is urged to come forward. Chief Superintendent David Robertson, Gold Commander for Operation Amberlight, said: "Communities have overwhelmingly showed their commitment to enjoying both Halloween and Bonfire Night in the proper spirit. 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 simply must stop."
He added: "Police officers, ambulance staff and firefighters are there to protect communities – not to be the target of violence. Investigations will now take place to identify those responsible and bring them to justice." Robertson also acknowledged the support from the public, stating, "Despite these challenges, I recognise the outstanding support we’ve seen from the majority of the public. 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."
