Bonfire night trouble flares across Scotland

Fireworks were thrown at officers called to bonfires in Pollokshields while a primary school in Glasgow was set on fire.

Author: Callum McQuadePublished 6th Nov 2024
Last updated 6th Nov 2024

Police are going through video footage to track down people who threw fireworks, bricks and bottles at officers last night across Glasgow.

Four attacks on fire crews across the city were reported throughout the night too.

Teenagers dressed in black were letting off fireworks and throwing them across the ground in Pollokshields in the direction of the public and police officers.

Danny Phillips lives there and has been campaigning for the sale of fireworks to be regulated across Scotland for over 10 years.

He told Clyde 1: "If you walk up and down Albert Drive there are remnants of fireworks being set off with debris and char everywhere.

"A bonfire was lit in the middle on the road on a mini roundabout which is just a complete mess of black char now."

A fireworks control zone was supposed to take effect in Pollokshields from November 1 but the city council was too late in sorting paperwork for it to happen.

Glasgow City Council previously apologised for not having a control zone in place, saying: "We are very sorry that the firework control zone for Pollokshields cannot go ahead as we had hoped for this year's Bonfire Night.

READ MORE: Bonfire Night: Public urged to act responsibly with fireworks

Danny added: "Six years ago the then First Minister Nicola Sturgeon promised action on this.

"Since then we've held community meetings, taken part in consultations, task groups, gone to the Scottish Parliament, spoken to councillors and the police.

"We've done everything we possibly can to get something done about this but nothing has moved at all."

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said it received more than 1,000 calls from the public during an eight-hour period on Bonfire Night while police responded to 18 incidents.

Darnley Primary School was set on fire, with police called to the building on Glen Moriston Road at 9.30pm.

There have been 19 arrests so far in connection with incidents in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Assistant Chief Constable, Tim Mairs gave an update on Operation Moonbeam earlier, saying that while there was a reduction in disorder when compared with 2023, Police Scotland will continue to work alongside young people and children to help quash the issue all together.

"It's really about working with our children and young people to give them positive opportunities moving forward, and that's really where the partnership is, where the operation is at the heart of our policing approach.

"So today, in these affected areas, police officers and local authorities are sitting down at the table to talk about what we saw last night and will continue the work that's been ongoing.

"This is a journey - it's not something that we can police our way out of - but I'm encouraged to continue to invest in our positive opportunities to support them so that we will see this continue to reduce as an issue, hereon."

A total of 62 officers were injured last year, but Mr Mairs said there was a significant fall in the number of police hurt this year.

He said: "I'm encouraged by the fact that we did see a reduction in the level of disorder and the number of injuries to police officers, but I am still concerned that in parts of Glasgow, we still saw extensive misuse of fireworks, the attacking of members of the community, police officers and, indeed, our colleagues in the fire service."

He said the work for next year's Operation Moonbeam "starts today", with the force aiming to arrest any offenders in the near-future.

Crews attacked in Clydebank

SFRS said as well as two incidents of fire appliances being attacked in Edinburgh, there were three attacks in Clydebank and one in Blackridge, West Lothian.

Initial figures indicate that crews responded to approximately 347 bonfires and 598 incidents across the country between 3.30pm and 11.30pm on November 5.

Andy Watt, SFRS deputy chief officer, said: "Operations control firefighters answered over 1,000 calls tonight and have once again worked tirelessly to ensure we respond to those who need us the most."

He added: "Crews were bombarded with missiles and fireworks while responding to emergency incidents.

"These attacks prevent our crews from bringing any emergency to a safe and swift conclusion, and can impact on our emergency service colleagues - including the police when they must escort us at the scene."

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