Detectives investigating disorder in the Oxgangs area of Edinburgh on Bonfire Night are appealing for witnesses.
Around 5.30pm on Thursday, 5 November, 2026, police received a report of a group of youths creating a blockage on Oxgangs Road North.
Officers attended and fireworks were set off in their direction.
Several small fires in bins and the park were extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
No injuries were reported during the incident.
Detective Inspector Sophie McWhinnie said: “Antisocial behaviour, disorder and targeting officers in this way is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
“Extensive enquiries are ongoing to identify those responsible and ensure they are brought to justice.
“We’re appealing for anyone who was in the area who witnessed what happened, or may have mobile phone footage, to get in touch.
“We’d also urge people to check any private CCTV, ring doorbells or dashcams in case they have captured anything which could be of significance to our investigation.”
Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 2538 of Thursday, 5 November, 2026.
The Council Leader has thanked residents and partners for their efforts in keeping communities safe during Bonfire Night celebrations:
Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “While it’s encouraging to see that Bonfire Night was broadly a peaceful evening across the city, I was angry and disappointed to see isolated incidents of disorder, with a small minority seemingly intent on causing fear and alarm in our communities.
“We cannot and must not accept this type of mindless behaviour, in particular the targeting of our emergency services, and I hope those responsible are caught and brought to justice as soon as possible.
“For all that, I’m pleased that the majority of our residents were able to enjoy the celebrations in the way we would expect – with friends and loved ones at community-led displays – and that bus services were able to run as normal.
“Months of planning and close partnership working have gone into preparing for this period, and I’d like to thank our council teams, Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Lothian Buses, community organisations and our other partners for all their efforts.
“Our approach has focused on prevention as well as enforcement, from Firework Control Zones to engaging with young people and providing positive alternative activities. The organised events across the city also went well, offering families and communities the opportunity to come together. I’m grateful to everyone who has played their part in making these efforts count.
“I’d like to reiterate my thanks to residents for acting responsibly, looking out for one another and helping to keep their neighbourhoods safe – and hope that they will remember Bonfire Night for all the right reasons.”
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.”
Police have seized more than a quarter of a ton of fireworks in what’s believed to be one of the largest recoveries in Scotland.
On Tuesday, 3 November, officers executed a warrant at an address in Penilee, Glasgow following intelligence received from the local community.
As a result, 350kg of fireworks, with a total retail value of £12,000 were recovered within. Some of the fireworks seized has the capacity to fire 600 individual rockets.
These fireworks were due to be sold online leading up to Bonfire Night.
Local Area Commander Chief Inspector William Campbell said: “This significant seizure is as a result of effective community policing and local intelligence.
“There was potential for these to be used to commit disorder in the coming days and taking them off the streets has potentially stopped the public and emergency service personnel being targeted by them.
“Prevention is a huge part of the work we do to help maintain public safety, protecting property and minimise antisocial behaviour ahead of Bonfire Night.”
A report will be submitted to the Procurators Fiscal.
Two male youths charged after fireworks thrown in Bonnyrigg
Two male youths have been charged after fireworks were thrown at High Street in Bonnyrigg, around 7.50pm on Saturday, 31 October, 2026.
The teenagers were traced and charged with culpable and reckless conduct. Enquiries continue to trace others involved.
Chief Inspector Gordon Couper said: “Young people are entitled to enjoy themselves, however any dangerous and reckless behaviour will not be tolerated.
“We are continuing to engage with young people ahead of Bonfire Night about the consequences of this type of behaviour. We urge parents and guardians to support our efforts and ensure they are aware of their children’s activities and movements.
“Patrols continue in the area and we would encourage members of the public to continue to report any incidents to us on 101, or 999 in an emergency.
“Your assistance remains vital in helping us protect our local communities.”
From 3pm this afternoon, Police Scotland will be implementing Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 powers in certain areas of the city to address any disorder that may arise.
This allows officers to stop and search people and vehicles where this is appropriate and necessary.
Section 60 also allows officers to require the removal of any item the officer believes is being used wholly or partly for the purposes of concealing their identity.
The powers will be in place within the Niddrie, Muirhouse, Pilton, Moredun, Gracemount, Saughton, Sighthill and Longstone areas of the city.
It will be used responsibly and when justified to help prevent disorder and serious violence.
Chief Superintendent David Robertson, Divisional Commander for Edinburgh, said: “The overwhelming majority of those within Edinburgh have enjoyed the celebrations of the last week in the proper spirit and I sincerely thank the public for their support of our policing operation to keep people safe during the Halloween and Bonfire Night periods.
“Attacks on police officers, emergency service colleagues, and other vital services will not be tolerated.
“These offences have a significant detrimental impact on our communities and so we will be utilising the Section 60 powers where appropriate to ensure this evening is safe and enjoyable for everyone looking to celebrate.”
Remember the impact fireworks can have on those around you, including pets and animals who can suffer stress and anxiety from the loud and sudden noises.
Council Leader Jane Meagher has repeated her appeal for residents to stay safe tonight by attending organised displays and following simple safety advice.
Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “We’ve enjoyed a fantastic few days of celebrations across the city, with residents of all ages getting into the Halloween spirit on Friday night and some well-attended community firework displays over the weekend. On Sunday, I had the pleasure of attending local Diwali celebrations, and it was wonderful to see our communities coming together to enjoy the festivities.
“As we look ahead to Bonfire Night tonight, preparations are well underway for another evening of celebration, with further community displays are other activities planned across the city. While this is, of course, a highlight for many, it’s also a time when serious injuries and accidents can occur if fireworks and bonfires aren’t handled safely.
“This is why we’ve been working so closely with our partners and community groups to put measures in place, such as Firework Control Zones, to help make Bonfire Night safe and memorable for all the right reasons.
“We’ve also been engaging with young people over many months to promote firework safety, checking and clearing fly-tipping hotspots to reduce fire risks and co-ordinating CCTV coverage to support community safety.
“I’d encourage you once again to attend one the many organised displays taking place across the city tonight – they’re not only the best way to enjoy fireworks, they’re also the safest. And please look after yourself and your loved ones by following the simple safety advice.
“I want us all to remember Bonfire Night for the right reasons this year.”
You can also play your part by storing bins securely and reporting any large items that could be used for bonfires by emailing waste@edinburgh.gov.uk.
If you spot unauthorised bonfires or firework displays, you can report these to the Council by calling 0131 200 2000, Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.
Home Office data shows 2024/25 saw 42 per cent increase in firework incidents compared to 2023/24
3,500+ incidents linked to human error since 2010
Organised displays remain the safest option
As an increasing number of organised fireworks displays across the UK are cancelled this year, safety charity the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is warning of increased risks from home-based celebrations.
Cancellations in London, Edinburgh and other locations come amid a 42 per cent rise in fireworks-related fire incidents, prompting urgent calls for caution ahead of Bonfire Night. New data shows 264 incidents occurred in 2024/25, up from 185 the previous year.
The figures, drawn from Home Office statistics, highlight a worrying trend in unsafe firework use. Most incidents involved “other primary fires,” which include outdoor fires in bins, grassland, and vehicles, likely caused by improper handling or disposal of fireworks.
Fireworks are a leading cause of seasonal fire injuries and property damage in the UK. Despite ongoing safety campaigns, human error remains the primary factor in over 75 per cent of incidents.
Organised events offer safer – as well as more spectacular – displays. However, anyone intending on using fireworks at home should remember the following important safety tips:
Only adults should handle fireworks
Avoid alcohol if you are lighting fireworks
Store fireworks in a closed box
Always light fireworks at arm’s length with a taper
Never return to a firework after lighting
Direct rockets well away from spectators.
Always buy fireworks with a CE or UKCA mark
Sparklers burn at extremely high temperatures and must be handled with care.
Rebecca Guy, Senior Policy Manager at RoSPA, said: “Fireworks are powerful explosives, not toys. Only adults should handle them and never mix alcohol with lighting fireworks.
“Store them safely in a closed box, light at arm’s length with a taper, and never go back to a lit firework. Always buy CE or UKCA-marked products, aim rockets away from people, and remember sparklers burn at extremely high temperatures — treat them with care.
“The shocking rise in incidents over the past year is a stark reminder of the dangers they pose when misused. We strongly advise families to attend organised displays wherever possible, as they are far safer than home-based celebrations.”
Operation Moonbeam deployments have concluded and we’d like to thank the overwhelming majority of the public who have enjoyed the Halloween celebrations in the right spirit (no pun intended!)
A few incidents of minor antisocial behaviour involving fireworks were reported within Edinburgh, Midlothian and Glasgow, and inquiries into these are ongoing.
In total, four Dispersal Orders were issued in the South East of Edinburgh.
There have been no reports of any injuries to date.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, Gold Commander for Operation Moonbeam, said: “I’m really encouraged that we have not seen the same levels of disorder that we experienced last Halloween and thankful that we’ve not had any reported injuries to those emergency services, bus drivers, or members of the public.
“We will continue to have enhanced resources in place over the weekend and into next week ahead of Bonfire Night and I would again encourage our communities to enjoy the coming days responsibly and help us keep everyone safe.
“I’m grateful to the public for their overwhelming support of our policing operation and my thanks go to all officers, emergency service colleagues and other key partners who have played a vital role in protecting communities, or ensuring that vital services have been provided to those who needed them.”
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.
Planning to enjoy fireworks this Bonfire Night? Stay safe and look out for those around you.
Only adults should handle fireworks
Keep children at a safe distance
Take extra care with sparklers
Always follow the Firework Code
Remember that fireworks can be distressing for animals and for people with sensory sensitivities
SEARCH: ‘NHS INFORM BURNS’
Stay safe and enjoy Bonfire Night responsibly by attending organised events only:
Legislation says:
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