A 39-year-old man has been arrested and charged after a large quantity of fireworks, with a retail value of more than £5000, was seized in Edinburgh.
Around 9.30pm on Wednesday, 4 November, officers acting on intelligence stopped a van on London Road.
Following a search, 200kgs of fireworks were recovered with some capable of firing 555 individual rockets.
The 39-year-old was arrested and charged in connection with possession of fireworks in a public place and is due to appear in court at a later date.
Chief Superintendent David Robertson said: “It is an offence to buy, possess, or use fireworks without a valid licence and anyone caught doing so may face fines, seizure of items and potential prosecution.
“There was huge potential for these fireworks to be distributed around the city for the purposes of causing disorder. The misuse of fireworks presents a significant risk to the public and emergency personnel, and can result in serious injury, fires and damage to properties.
“Officers will continue to carry out enquiries in the Edinburgh area to detect and disrupt the illegal sale or use of fireworks, and we remain committed to working with partner agencies to ensure everyone’s safety.
“We rely on intelligence from the local communities, and anyone with information about planned disorder or concerns about fireworks is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.”
Following a successful approach last year, when events passed without serious incident, the Council is stepping up preparations to help ensure this year’s fireworks season is safe and enjoyable.
The Council is encouraging everyone to plan ahead, follow firework safety advice and attend an organised fireworks display wherever possible. Organised events provide an opportunity to enjoy the excitement of Bonfire Night while reducing the risks associated with fireworks being set off in streets and residential areas.
Firework Control Zones will be in place across 14 areas of the city from 30 October to 8 November, prohibiting the use of fireworks within designated zones, including on private property.
These zones are designed to address concerns about the dangerous misuse of fireworks and to protect vulnerable people, animals, and the environment.
These measures will be supported by Police Scotland’s Dispersal Zones and other enforcement activity, forming part of a coordinated approach to preventing disorder and protecting the public.
Working with schools, Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, the Council has been supporting education throughout the year to help young people understand the risks associated with fireworks and make safer choices. Funding for youth programmes and alternative activities will also provide positive opportunities for young people to spend time together.
Council teams and community volunteers are also taking practical steps to reduce risks in neighbourhoods. This includes clearing hazardous materials, tackling fly-tipping, checking known hotspots and coordinating CCTV to help prevent items being used to start dangerous fires.
Residents are also being asked to consider neighbours who may be particularly vulnerable to loud noise and to report dangerous or anti-social behaviour to Police Scotland.
Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “Bonfire Night should be a chance for families and communities to come together and enjoy a much-loved tradition. Residents should be able to feel safe in their neighbourhoods, knowing that everything possible is being done to reduce the risks associated with fireworks season.
L”ast year showed what can be achieved when the Council, Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and our community partners work together. We saw a real difference, with events passing without serious incident, and we want to build on that progress this year.
“We know that most people want to celebrate responsibly. However, the dangerous actions of a minority can put lives at risk, disrupt local services and cause real distress to residents. We will not allow that behaviour to spoil Bonfire Night for our communities.
“Preparations are well underway, from Firework Control Zones and targeted enforcement to education, youth activities and practical work to tackle hazards in our neighbourhoods. We are doing everything we can to help keep Edinburgh safe, and we’re asking residents to play their part too.
“We all have a role to play in keeping our communities safe. Please think about the impact your actions can have on others, follow the safety advice, and report dangerous behaviour when you see it.
“By working together, we can build on last year’s progress and help make Bonfire Night a positive occasion for the whole city.
Chief Superintendent Helen Harrision, Divisional Commander for Edinburgh, said:As we approach the 5 November, we are working closely with partners to ensure Edinburgh’s communities remain safe.“
“Our priority is to make sure that residents can enjoy the Halloween and Bonfire Night period, whilst robustly tackling the minority of those who choose to engage in dangerous, disruptive, or antisocial behaviour.
“In collaboration with stakeholders, we have delivered and supported a range of engagement events, diversionary activities, and awareness-raising sessions with a view to preventing criminal activity during Bonfire Night. However, we know from previous years that a small number of individuals will view this period as an opportunity to cause disorder.
“Attacks on emergency services are completely unacceptable. Our officers along with fire and ambulance crews work tirelessly to keep the city’s communities safe. Any violence, hostility, or reckless behaviour will not be tolerated, and those responsible will be held to account.
“Our own local policing teams will be supported by specialist resource as part of Operations Moonbeam and Amberlight and will be ready to respond as required.”
Residents can visit the Council website for further information about Firework Control Zones, safety advice and organised fireworks displays.
Crimestoppers and Fearless Scotland launch annual ‘Speak Up Stay Safe’ campaign
Independent charity Crimestoppers and its youth programme Fearless Scotland are today launching their annual Bonfire Night safety campaign, urging people to speak up 100% anonymously if they know about planned attacks on emergency crews or deliberate fire-raising in their communities.
The campaigns – supported by the Scottish Government – also highlights the law around fireworks misuse, Firework Protection Zones, and, crucially, encourages people to speak up 100% anonymously about fire-raising.
Last year’s Crimestoppers’ campaign generated a wealth of information given anonymously to the charity which helped prevent at least three extremely serious, potentially life-threatening attacks on emergency crews in Scotland.
In particular, the annual campaign is asking for information on:
– Who and where organised attacks are being planned
– Where fireworks and weapons are being stored/stock-piled
– Who is responsible for deliberate fire-raising
Crimestoppers’ campaign aims to encourage reporting from the public about any planned attacks and additionally help gather information after bonfire night about who was responsible.
Communities who experienced an increase in firework attacks will be equipped with leaflets, posters and banners to raise awareness of the law around fireworks misuse and to encourage anonymous reporting about about who is responsible.
Angela Parker, National Manager of Crimestoppers in Scotland, said:“Our charity believes everyone has the right to feel safe, no more so than Scotland’s emergency services who risk their lives to keep us safe.
“Information from last year prevented a serious attack on our emergency services. That’s why we are asking anyone with information on those planning attacks to get in touch with our charity 100% anonymously.
“No-one will ever know you contacted us, and your information could be preventing serious injury or harm or even loss of life for emergency workers.”
Kirsten Oswald MSP, Minister for Community Safety, said: “We want everyone to enjoy Bonfire Night safely and I would urge anyone planning to use fireworks to do so responsibly.
“The emergency services play a vital role in keeping us all safe and any assaults on them will not be tolerated. Measures brought in in 2022 mean attacks on 999 crews using fireworks or pyrotechnics are now aggravating factors that courts can take into account when sentencing offenders.
“Other steps we have taken to improve firework safety include bringing in a ban on providing fireworks to under-18s.
“If you have information about any activity that might put emergency workers or communities at risk as Bonfire Night approaches, please get in touch with Crimestoppers by phone or on their website. You can do this anonymously and you could be helping to keep our 999 crews and your neighbours safe.”
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, Gold Commander for Operation Moonbeam said: “While most people enjoy Bonfire Night responsibly, there are those who seek to target police officers and other emergency service workers with fireworks and other projectiles, putting them at serious risk of harm while they attempt to keep communities safe.
“We saw a number of these incidents occur last year, resulting in over 60 officers being injured and this is entirely unacceptable.
“If you are found to be involved in an offence that puts police officers, other emergency service workers, or the general public at risk of harm you will be brought to justice, either on the night or during our follow-up inquiries.
“I would encourage anyone who has information about planned Bonfire Night criminality to report, and they will be brought to justice. In the event you avoid being caught on the night, you can expect a visit from us once we have conducted our inquiries.
“I would ask the public to work alongside us in helping make Bonfire Night a safe and enjoyable occasion and to contact us directly via 101 or make an anonymous report to Crimestoppers.”
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Assistant Chief Officer Andrew Watt said: “Last year, our crews came under attack on nine occasions within an eight-hour period. Our staff work tirelessly over the Bonfire period to keep people safe, and do not deserve to be attacked for doing their job.
They should be able to carry out their role without being hurt or having appliances and equipment damaged by reckless anti-social behaviour.
“These actions are also an unnecessary drain on emergency service resources. We want to bring any emergency to a safe and swift conclusion – please respect our staff and all emergency services.”
Scottish Ambulance Service Chief Executive Michael Dickson said:“We know this time of year is about fun and celebration, but let’s not forget that those on the frontline, our ambulance crews should never have to worry about their own safety while they care for others.
“Unfortunately, we’re still seeing cases of our staff facing physical assaults and verbal abuse, often driven by too much drinking. These are dedicated professionals who deserve respect, not hostility. So, have a great night, enjoy the festivities, but please, treat our staff and emergency service partners with respect.”
To help keep communities safe, The City of Edinburgh Council identified 14 areas across Edinburgh designated as Firework Control Zones (FCZs) from 30 October to 8 November 2026.
Within these zones, setting off fireworks will be illegal, even on private property, during the designated period.
FCZs aim to reduce noise, stress, littering and antisocial behaviour, while protecting vulnerable people, animals and the environment.
Under the Firework and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022, offences can carry a penalty of up to £5,000 or six months custodial sentence.
We will work with local authorities, communities, schools and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to raise awareness, promote responsible behaviour and enforce the law.
Within these zones, setting off fireworks will be illegal, even on private property, during the designated period.
