Tag: Guy Fawkes Night

Safer Scotland: Fireworks Fear

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.

For more fireworks safety advice, take a look: https://bit.ly/FireworkSafety2025

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.”

A full list of community events is published on the Council website. Safety information and guidance is available on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website.

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.

#FireworkSafety

Bonfire night safety fears after 42% rise in fireworks-related incidents

  • 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.”    

Find more firework safety advice on the RoSPA website.  

Police praise Halloween behaviour: Now for Bonfire Night

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.”

#OpMoonbeam

#Halloween

#KeepingPeopleSafe

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service: Here to keep you safe

Any attack on a firefighter is totally unacceptable and can significantly impact our ability to keep communities safe.

No one should go to work and be assaulted.

Respect those who keep us safe and help us to be there for our communities this Bonfire Night.

Police Scotland: Dispersal Zones in Edinburgh

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:

https://orlo.uk/iQ6cx

📖 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.

#TomorrowWeStillLiveHere

#KeepingPeopleSafe

#PoliceScotland

Two charged as part of investigation to tackle Bonfire Night disorder

NORTH EDINBURGH PROPERTIES RAIDED

Two men have been charged as part of an ongoing investigation to tackle disorder ahead of this year’s Bonfire Night period.

On Wednesday, 15 October, 2025, officers in West Lothian recovered 200kg of fireworks from a storage unit in East Calder.

As part of enquiries, intelligence-led searches were then carried out at properties in West Granton Road, West Pilton Lea, West Pilton Street, West Pilton Place and Bughtlin Place.

Two men, aged 18 and 25, were arrested and charged. The 18-year-old was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Friday, 24 October and the 25-year-old is scheduled to appear today, Monday, 27 October.

Detective Inspector Steven Dick from Edinburgh Division CID said: “Our enquiries suggest the large quantity of fireworks seized was intended to be used for disorder and violence over the coming weeks.

“We know the significant impact the criminal use of fireworks has had on communities, vital services and emergency workers during the last few years, and this will not be tolerated.

“Officers will continue to gather intelligence and carry out enforcement and disruption action to prevent firework-related offences and bring to justice those who intend to cause fear and injury during the Bonfire Night period.”

Anyone who has information on planned criminal activity involving fireworks can contact Police Scotland via 101 or make an anonymous report to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Fireworks season: Emergency services launch Operation Moonbeam 2025

Police Scotland is dedicating more resource than ever before to tackle crimes involving fireworks over the Bonfire Night period.

Operation Moonbeam 2025 is officially launched today – Friday, 24 October – and will once again see public order officers supporting colleagues from local policing divisions to tackle violence and disorder and protect communities from harm.

In 2024, there was a reduction in the number of serious order incidents across the country and the number of officers injured fell to one, compared with 62 in 2023.

However, the level of violence directed towards police and other emergency services was still of significant concern and additional resource is being provided to support local policing teams dealing with fireworks-related crime.

Operation Moonbeam was first launched in 2018, following serious disorder in various parts of the country which saw one officer in Edinburgh seriously injured when she was struck by a firework.

Overall, fireworks offences have seen a reduction since this time, but an increased targeting of emergency services has prompted a more robust response to tackling these incidents.

In addition to enhanced levels of specialist support, frontline officers in Edinburgh a will be equipped with Body Worn Video, as the national roll-out of this technology continues.

This will improve opportunities to identify those involved in criminal activity during this time, including attacks on police officers and emergency service workers.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, Gold Commander for Operation Moonbeam, said: “Last year, following Bonfire Night, I reflected on what was a successful policing operation that saw a reduction in serious disorder offences and a dramatic reduction in the number of officers injured.

“As part of this year’s campaign, we will shortly be publishing some compelling stories from members of Police Scotland, Lothian Busses and affected communities highlighting the significant impact being involved in, or subject to attacks with fireworks can have.

“However, we still saw unacceptable levels of violence and disorder in parts of Glasgow and Edinburgh, leaving communities in these areas in a state of fear and alarm. This was wholly unacceptable, and we immediately launched a major criminal investigation to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.

“Over 60 people have been reported for their involvement in fireworks offences over the Bonfire Night period for 2024. I want to make it clear our pursuit of offenders for any crimes this year will be equally unrelenting. If you chose to create fear in your community, and if you chose to attack those who are deployed to keep people safe, you will face justice.

“We will use all available technology, resources and policing tactics at our disposal to keep our people safe while they, in turn work with other emergency service partners to protect the public from harm.

“Please help us make Bonfire Night 2025 a safe event for everyone looking to enjoy it.”

Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown added: “We want everyone to enjoy Bonfire Night and I urge those planning to use fireworks to do so safely and responsibly.

“Misuse of fireworks puts communities and emergency services at risk and will not be tolerated. While Police Scotland reported a reduction in serious disorder on Bonfire Night last year, the Scottish Government will continue to support the police and courts in taking firm action against those who do break the law.

“We have brought in a number of measures to improve firework safety, including a ban on providing fireworks to under-18s and making attacks on emergency workers using fireworks an aggravating factor that courts can take into account when sentencing offenders. We have also provided local authorities with powers to designate firework control zones in local areas and a number of these will be in place this year.

“My thanks go to all the emergency services who have been working hard to ensure a safe Bonfire Night and who will again be on the front line to keep our communities safe.”

Andrew Laing, Deputy Crown Agent for Local Court at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: “Those who carry out reckless and dangerous public offending throughout the period of Bonfire Night can expect to be dealt with rigorously by the justice system. 

“Those deliberately putting other people in danger may be held in custody by the police, remanded by the courts, and expect to receive a custodial sentence at the conclusion of the court case. 

“Anyone seeking to obstruct or attack an emergency worker will be treated with the full force of the law. 

“We stand fully behind justice partners in ensuring that the public and members of the emergency services are protected at all times.

“Our message to people who carry out this type of offending is that it carries serious consequences.

“We will always prosecute such matters where there is a sufficiency of evidence and it is in the public interest to do so.”

Remember, remember …

FIREWORK CONTROL ZONES

Is your community being considered for a Firework Control Zone in November?

Streets in Balerno, Calton Hill, Corstorphine, Gracemount, Longstone, Moredun, Niddrie, Seafield and Sighthill have been nominated.

We’d like to hear your views at http://edinburgh.gov.uk/firework-control-zones…

Gracemount incident on 5th November: CCTV images released

EDINBURGH Police have issued CCTV footage of three men officers believe might be able to assist with enquiries into an incident on 5 November 2024 at Captains Road, in the Gracemount area.

The first male is described as a white, aged between 20 and 30 years-old, around 5ft 8ins tall with a slim build and a bushy brown/red beard. He was wearing a black hat, black tracksuit top with white logo on left chest and white lining around shoulders and black trainers.

The second male is described as a white, aged between 30 and 40 years-old, with a medium build and black hair. He was wearing a black jacket with a fur hood and black trousers.

The third male is described as a white aged between 18 and 20-years-old, 5ft 9ins tall, with a medium/athletic build, dark eyebrows and black hair. He was wearing a black snood, black crew-neck Nike jumper with small white swoosh on left breast, black trousers and black trainers.

Detective Inspector Steven Dick said: “We are keen to talk to these males as we believe he may have information which could assist with our enquiries.

“The males pictured, or anyone who may recognise them, are asked to please contact us.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 or make an anonymous report to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Bonfire Night: Police report a fall in number of serious incidents

FEWER INJURIES TO EMERGENCY SERVICES PERSONNEL THIS YEAR

Incidents of serious disorder during Bonfire Night have fallen this year.

In 2023, specialist resources as part of Operation Moonbeam were deployed on 26 separate occasions during the evening of 5 November. This year, 18 deployments were required during the same period.

The overall number of fireworks-related calls has remained consistent to previous years, however, the number of officers injured has reduced significantly, compared to last year.

During the Operation Moonbeam deployment for October and November 2023, a total of 62 officers sustained injuries after being targeted with fireworks and other projectiles.

To date, one officer was injured on Halloween evening after a brick was thrown through the window of her police vehicle in Edinburgh. No further injuries to officers have so far been reported. One person has been arrested and charged in relation to this assault.

During the evening of Tuesday, 5 November, officers in Edinburgh responded to various incidents of youth disorder in Niddrie, Sighthill and Moredun.

Large groups gathered in these areas before throwing fireworks, bottles and bricks at police vehicles and other cars. Two fire service appliances were also attacked during this time.

No injuries to emergency service workers or members of the public were reported.

Various parts of Glasgow also experienced pockets of disorder, with youths witnessed throwing fireworks at members of the public, vehicles and police officers. There were also four incidents of fire appliances being subjected to attacks when responding to calls. Again, however, no injuries were reported.

In Peterhead a pyrotechnic device was ignited within a skate park in Aalesund Road at around 9.20pm. Those responsible then made off in a van before striking a 33-year-old male pedestrian and fleeing the scene.

The male was treated by paramedics at the scene but did not require further medical attention. Inquiries to identify the suspects are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to come forward.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, Gold Commander for Operation Moonbeam said: “I firstly want to recognise the outstanding courage and professionalism of all of those emergency service workers who put themselves in harm’s way to keep communities safe.

“Their actions ensured that some of the challenging scenes we witnessed this year did not escalate into mass disorder, on the scale of what we experienced last year.

“Nevertheless, the levels of violence and aggression police officers, fire service and ambulance service personnel faced in some areas was wholly unacceptable and a significant investigative response is now underway to identify each and every one of those involved and bring them to justice.

“In advance of Bonfire Night 2024, local policing teams across Scotland have worked diligently with local authority and third sector partners to make positive in-roads with communities and identify some of the root causes that lead to disorder.

“In addition, this engagement has resulted in an increase in the intelligence we have received from the public, allowing us to take preventative enforcement action before crimes could occur.

“Throughout Operation Moonbeam, we have utilised all legislation and policing powers at our disposal and we will continue our discussions with local authorities and Scottish Government to explore further opportunities for reducing fireworks offences for next year and moving forward.”