From 31 October – 5 November 2025, dispersal zones will be enforceable to help prevent anti-social behaviour and keep our communities safe.
Additional officers will be on patrol and have powers to take action where needed.
Stay safe and enjoy Bonfire Night responsibly by attending organised events only:
Legislation says:
Where a constable has reasonable grounds for believing that the presence or behaviour of a group of two or more persons in any public place in the relevant locality is causing or likely to cause alarm or distress to any members of the public, the constable may give:
1. A direction requiring the persons in the group to disperse
2. A direction requiring any of those persons whose place of residence is not within the relevant locality to leave the relevant locality or any part of the relevant locality
3. A direction prohibiting any of those persons whose place of residence is not within the relevant locality from returning to the relevant locality or any part of the relevant locality during such period (not exceeding 24 hours) from the giving of the direction as the constable may specify
ANY PERSON WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE WHO KNOWINGLY CONTRAVENES A DIRECTION GIVEN TO THEM UNDER THIS ACT SHALL BE GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE AND WILL BE ARRESTED WITHOUT WARRANT
At time of writing there are NO organised public displays in Edinburgh – Ed.