Bonfire Night: Public urged to act responsibly with fireworks

With Bonfire season fast approaching, emergency crews are once again ramping up efforts to ensure community safety ahead of an expectedly busy period, with increased use of fireworks across Scotland in the coming weeks.

This year, Crimestoppers is working with local emergency services to encourage members of the public to come forward if they have any information on planned antisocial behaviour or firework-related disorder.

With public safety at the forefront of officials’ minds, Community Safety Minister, Siobhian Brown, spoke to Clyde 1 about the importance of learning the lessons of previous bonfire seasons.

She said: “I want everyone to have a safe, enjoyable Bonfire Night, but we know what we have seen in the last couple of years.”

Crimestoppers appeal

Previous years have seen a high rate of fireworks-related crimes, such as planned ambushes against emergency crews.

These events and previous campaigns from the charity have generated a wealth of anonymously given information being supplied to Crimestoppers.

So far, the charity has managed to prevent at least one such attack from being carried out in 2023 using anonymous tips from the public.

These planned attacks on emergency service teams in recent years have caused serious concerns and even damage, all while crews attempt to perform their duties to the public.

Last year, scenes of violence and riots across Scotland appeared on social media.

A group of up-to 20 people were filmed throwing rockets towards a row of vehicles in Pollokshields, and another serious incident was recorded in the Barmulloch area leading to 4 people ending up in the hospital, including a police officer.

'Harrowing behaviour'

Ms Brown added: “Our emergency workers are there to keep us safe.

“They don't deserve to be going out to protect our communities and being treated in this way…we had some really harrowing behaviour which I don't think anybody would find acceptable.”

“I am hoping as we move forward into next year…the other local authorities will decide to put firework control zones in place.”

Edinburgh will go ahead with a Firework Control Zone this year, however, the Pollokshields area of Glasgow will not enforce the firework ban due to the City Council failing to file the relevant paperwork on time.

So far, both Glasgow and Edinburgh are the only local authorities in Scotland that have implemented the ban, thought they will not come into force until next year.

The Minister is telling us that she would be keen to support any councils that wish to implement the ban in the build up to Bonfire Night on November 5th.

She said: “It's an option for them, and the Scottish Government is very keen to assist and help where they can with that.”

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