Bonfire Night Disorder: Five more arrests

Five more people have been arrested in connection with disorder offences that took place in Edinburgh on Bonfire Night last year.

As part of the ongoing criminal investigation into the disorder that took place in Calder Road, officers executed two search warrants at addresses in the Broomhall and Saughton areas on Thursday, 30 January 2025. A 17-year-old male was arrested in Broomhall, while a 16-year-old male was arrested in Saughton.

Between Thursday, 30 and Friday, 31 January 2025, three other males aged 17, 17 and 25 were arrested in connection with offences that took place in Calder Road and Captains Road.

Four males aged 15, 16, 19 and 27 have also been reported to the Procurator Fiscal following the incidents in Captains Road.

The total number of people reported across Scotland for Bonfire Night criminality is now 61, with 41 of these individuals being linked to incidents in Edinburgh.

Chief Superintendent David Robertson said: “I will continue to reaffirm my message in the wake of the disorder we experienced on 5 November 2024, that if you were involved, you will be caught. It may take time, but you will not evade justice.

“Enforcement activity like this will continue to take place wherever and whenever we have gathered sufficient evidence.

“The public can continue to support us with our inquiries by coming forward with information, or submitting video or photographic evidence via our Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT24S16-PO1.”

Four more arrests following Bonfire Night disorder in Edinburgh

Four more people have been arrested following disorder in Edinburgh during Bonfire Night.

A full criminal investigation into the incidents that arose during the evening of 5 November began the following day and as a result of these inquiries three further individuals were charged in connection with the disturbances on Calder Road that saw fireworks and projectiles thrown at the public, police officers and various busses.

A 16-year-old male was charged on Tuesday, 12 November, while two 17-year-old males were charged on Wednesday, 13 November.

All three will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday, 3 December.

A 15-year-old male was also arrested on Wednesday following incidents that took place on Captain’s Road, where projectiles were thrown at Public Order Officers. He will appear in court on an undertaking at a later date.

To date, 13 people have been charged, five homes searched, and two vehicles seized following the offences that took place between Halloween and Bonfire Night.

Further arrests are expected as inquiries continue.

Chief Superintendent David Robertson, Divisional Commander for Edinburgh, said: “We want the arrests made so far to provide reassurance to our communities that we are committed to bringing all those responsible for the crimes that took place to justice.

“Equally, they should serve as a very real reminder to everyone who was involved that we are actively pursuing them, and they can expect a visit from us imminently.

“We still have lots of excellent CCTV footage and other evidence gathered on Halloween and Bonfire Night to go through and we are confident this will help us identify and charge more offenders in due course.

“Members of the public who have video or photographic evidence can still submit it to https://mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT24S16-PO1.”

Bonfire Night disorder: More Arrests

POLICE investigating the violent disorder in both Edinburgh and Glasgow on Bonfire Night have arrested a further seven people and identified as least 14 others.

Two arrests had already been made on the night, bringing the total to nine since Sunday, 5 November, 2023.

In relation to the disorder in the Niddrie area, a 31-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman were arrested and charged with fireworks offences and were released on an undertaking to appear in court at a later date.

An 18-year-old man and a 13-year-old boy were also both arrested and charged with culpable and reckless conduct and being in possession of a weapon. The 18-year-old will appear in court at a later date and the 13-year-old was reported to the relevant authorities.

Fourteen others have also been identified for the disorder in the Edinburgh area, and work is ongoing to establish the identities of others.

In Glasgow, a 17-year-old man was arrested and charged with assault and being in possession of a weapon. Two men, aged 16 and 17, were also arrested and charged with assault. Reports will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Enquiries continue into both incidents and further arrests are expected. We continue to appeal for information from the public with major incident portals set up for both Glasgow and Edinburgh where the public can submit information, including videos and images.

For disorder in Edinburgh there is a Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) that allows members of the public to send information directly to the police that can be accessed as follows: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT23S38-PO1

For disorder in Glasgow there is a Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) that allows members of the public to send information directly to the police that can be accessed as follows: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT23S39-PO1

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, Gold Commander for Operation Moonbeam said: “We are continuing our enquiries into the significant disorder we experienced on bonfire night. These arrests are just the start, and we expect to make more in the coming weeks.

“We took a robust stance, and I am proud of the courage, discipline and professionalism that officers showed in the face of the violence that night.

“A number of our officers sustained minor physical injuries, however we are also aware of the mental impact that dealing with such significant levels of violence can have and will continue to support all officers affected.  Nobody deserves to be injured in this way for doing their job. An emergency worker is also someone’s son, daughter, husband or wife.”

If anyone has any information that can help us in our investigation, then please contact 101 or send it in via the respective portal link. Alternatively you can call CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.