Police Scotland – Page 18 – The NEN

Celebrate Bonfire Night safely

Council Leader Jane Meagher discusses plans in place for Bonfire Night and encourages residents to celebrate safely:

Bonfire Night is a much-loved tradition and a highlight of the year for so many across the city. It’s a time to come together with friends, family, and neighbours to enjoy fireworks and have fun.

As we look forward to celebrating, we’re asking everyone to do so safely and responsibly. Wherever possible, we’d encourage residents to attend one of the many organised displays taking place across the city. These events are not only the best way to enjoy fireworks, they’re also the safest.

Sadly, in previous years, we’ve seen a small minority misuse fireworks in ways that put others at risk. Emergency services workers, local businesses, essential bus services, and members of the public have all been affected by dangerous and anti-social behaviour. This is unacceptable and it doesn’t reflect the vast majority who simply want to enjoy the night peacefully.

That’s why we’re taking proactive steps again this year, working closely with our partners to put robust plans in place. One important measure is the continued use of Firework Control Zones (FCZs), which were introduced in response to community concerns. Based on data and evidence, FCZs are about making sure celebrations happen in the right way and in the right place and they’ve already proven to be effective in previous years.

Aligning these with Dispersal Zones ensures there is a comprehensive framework in place to deter reckless and antisocial behaviour.

They’re not a catch-all solution, but they’re part of our broader approach that includes enforcement, prevention and engagement.

Our teams, alongside Police Scotland, have been visiting firework retailers across Edinburgh and I’m delighted that all but 2 have made the decision not to sell fireworks this year. This is a huge step forward that will make the celebrations safer for everyone.

We’re also prioritising direct engagement with young people, giving them a voice in how we shape our approach to firework safety. Just recently, Police Scotland and Fearless hosted a youth summit, offering young people a meaningful platform to share their perspectives and help develop the Fearless social media campaign which will reach thousands of our young people in the run-up.

We’re backing this up with funding for alternative activities and youth engagement programmes aimed at providing positive choices and discouraging anti-social behaviour.

In the lead up to Bonfire Night, you’ll also notice Council teams and community volunteers working together to clear hazardous materials, tackling fly-tipping, and offering free bulky waste collections to reduce the risk of deliberate fires.

Together, we can all play a part in making Bonfire Night a safe and enjoyable time for everyone by following safety guidance, being considerate of others, and reporting any concerns.

Fearless promotes firework safety at Edinburgh event

Hundreds of young people across Edinburgh united at the Corn Exchange last month for Igniting Change – an event placing young voices at the heart of shaping Scotland’s approach to fireworks safety.

Hosted by Fearless, Crimestoppers’ youth service, in partnership with Police Scotland and supported by key organisations, the initiative gave pupils a unique opportunity to share their views directly, deepen their understanding of fireworks risks, and help create resources for their peers in the run-up to the fireworks season.

Fearless Digital Media Officer Natalia Ainsworth chats with some event attendees

The insights, experiences, and creative ideas gathered on the day will form the foundation of a new Fearless social media campaign, launched on 27th October across Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram, reaching hundreds of thousands of young people across Scotland in the run-up to Bonfire Night.

From fire safety and animal welfare to learning about the medical realities of fireworks injuries with the Scottish Ambulance Service and Medics Against Violence, some serious issues were tackled – but the young people also helped create a campaign soundtrack alongside a professional DJ, shared ideas on a digital graffiti wall, and engaged in a live Q&A panel with officials and experts.

We’re looking forward to the campaign delivering engaging, relatable content designed by young people, for young people, encouraging safer choices and stronger communities during fireworks season.

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

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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.

Police vehicles crash on Broughton Street: Road closures

UPDATE 10:00am

Broughton Street has re-opened following a crash involving two police marked vehicles, reported around 6am on Friday, 24 October, 2025.

Three officers were taken to hospital for assessment, but their injuries are not believed to be serious.

Enquiries are ongoing.

Broughton Street is closed following a crash involving two marked police vehicles.

We received a report at 6am and emergency services are in attendance.

The closures are from East London Street, Albany Street, Forth Street and York Place.

Please avoid the area.

Pedestrian injured in Liberton Road hit and run

Road policing officers are appealing for information following a crash involving a car and a pedestrian in Edinburgh.

Around 12.55pm on Wednesday, 22 October, a blue Vauxhall Corsa failed to stop for officers on Newington Road. A short pursuit took place before the car struck a pedestrian at the junction of Liberton Road and Gilmerton Road.

The vehicle failed to stop and continued south on Gilmerton Road and was later found abandoned a short distance away on Glenallan Drive.

The pedestrian, a 47-year-old man, was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment to serious injuries.

Sergeant Grant Hastie said: “Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and trace those responsible.

“I would urge anyone who witnessed the crash, or saw a blue Vauxhall Corsa in the area beforehand or afterwards, to come forward.

“We are also keen to speak to anyone with dash-cam or private CCTV footage that may assist our investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1486 of 22 October, 2025.

Police issued with body worn video

All frontline police officers and custody staff in Edinburgh, and Lothians and Scottish Borders are being issued with body worn video.

The devices are worn attached to the officers’ uniform, usually on their chest.

As Halloween and Bonfire Night approaches the devices will help as a deterrent to those considering engaging in criminal activity, and to aid any investigations and bring to justice those responsible for attacks and other offences.

When you come into contact with an officer and when they attend an incident they will set the camera to record what happens.

Body worn video (BWV) cameras are the small devices our officers wear, usually on their chest, to capture both audio and visual evidence when they attend all types of incidents or are executing any police powers.

Police staff in custody suites also wear the cameras and switch them on when interacting with persons in custody.

You can find out more about how Police Scotland will use body worn video by watching this short video:

Easy read versions:

The body worn video Standard Operating Procedure and the Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment summary of results documents are available in our SOPs and Policies section.

Police seek witnesses to serious assault at South Gyle Access

Police are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault and collision involving a coach at South Gyle Access, Edinburgh.

The incident took place around 2.50pm yesterday – Tuesday, 21 October, 2025.

Enquiries have established that a 17-year-old male was approached by two males who had exited the No.22 bus. One of the males chased the victim into the road, where he was hit by a coach travelling in the opposite direction. The victim was then attacked whilst on the ground.

The victim was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with serious injuries.

The suspect is described as a white male, aged approximately 17, around 5ft 11 and slim build. He was wearing dark clothing and a dark beanie hat.

Detective Sergeant John Dunn said: “This was a violent, unprovoked attack and we are carrying out extensive enquiries to track down the male responsible.

“We believe there were members of the public who will have witnessed the incident and are yet to speak to police, so would encourage anyone with information to please come forward.

“Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident 1855 of 21 October. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”

Police: Online Crime Advice

That link you got in a text, email or DM? Type don’t tap!

Check the web address is legit and always:

Stop: Take a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information. It could keep you safe.

Challenge: Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.

Protect: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve been scammed and report it to Action Fraud.

If you think you’ve clicked on a suspicious link and shared your details, contact your bank immediately.

Find out more from Take Five.

#TypeDontTap

#TakeFive

#StopChallengeProtect

Police appeal for information following serious assault

POLICE are appealing for information following a serious assault in Edinburgh.

Around 3.30pm on Tuesday, 14 October, 2025 a 16-year-old boy was approached by two male-youths in Pentland View Park and seriously assaulted.

He was taken to hospital for treatment, but his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

The first male youth is described as white, 5ft 8in tall, of medium build with short black hair and clean shaven, wearing a grey tracksuit. The second is described as white, around 6ft tall, of slim build with short dark brown hair and clean shaven, wearing a black top and black shorts. Both are believed to be aged 17-18 years old.

Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

DC Beverley Burnside, Police Scotland, said: “I am appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time and who may have witnessed the incident to come forward and speak with officers.

“We are also appealing to anyone with private CCTV or dash-cam footage who was driving in the area at the time of the incident to see if they have captured anything that could assist with our investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2439 of 16 October, 2025. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.