Bonfire Night: Emergency services gear up for busiest night of the year

Specially trained police officers will be deployed across Scotland tonight - to try and combat Bonfire Night disorder.

It comes after violent scenes unfolded in Edinburgh and Dundee last week on Halloween.

Police Scotland said a number of people had targeted its vehicles, as well as public transport vehicles, with fireworks and other projectiles, including bricks, at Hay Avenue in Edinburgh.

Footage on social media also shows bottles being launched at passing police vehicles off Ulverston Terrace in the Kirkton area of Dundee.

This year marks the 6th year of Operation Moonbeam - an initiative which sees Police Scotland try to prevent the criminal use of fireworks.

On Bonfire Night 2023, 62 officers sustained a range of injuries after being hit by or in the proximity of fireworks in incidents across Scotland.

'Unacceptable'

Assistant Chief Constable, Tim Mairs, has called this unacceptable.

He told Clyde 1: "We have specially equipped, and well-trained officers who are able to operate in those more challenging environments.

"They are available to be deployed anywhere in the country, but we have specific plans for more urban areas and areas where we have seen that disorder previously.

"It is concerning that some people feel it's okay to attack the people who are here to protect and serve the community.

"Last year, 62 police officers were injured when they had to deal with serious disorder and that is unacceptable.

"Each one of those officers are parents, partners, and they're coming to work to protect and serve people.

"It's not just the physical injuries on the night, but also the psychological impact of being in such a stressful environment that can take folks quite a long time to recover from.

"Operation Moonbeam is a really significant operation for us now, but we're also really invested in the prevention work to make sure in future, this isn't required.

"The challenge this year is that we're asking communities to come forward with information if they're aware of planned disorder or the illegal sale of fireworks."

'Know where your kids are'

The force is partnering with Crimestoppers and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Fire crews are calling for parents to make sure they know where their children are tonight.

Calton station's crew commander, Paul O'Hare, said they have been visiting Primary 6 and 7 classrooms to speak to kids.

He explained this age group have been behind attacks on emergency services in previous years.

He said: "Roundabout that age, you're finding that they are going around in small groups and they're wanting to experiment with fireworks and fire itself.

"In the past, we've had a lot of incidents where we've been directed into a one-way street for a fire or car fire.

"The local youths have ended up barricading us in, and we need the police to then respond to the incident as well.

"My message to parents is this: Know where your children are and teach them the dangers of fireworks. Essentially, be safe.

"The last thing anyone wants to hear is that their child has been involved in an accident with fireworks, because at the end of the day, it is an explosive."

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