Emergency services braced for Bonfire Night disorder

Fireworks and missiles were thrown at police officers in Niddrie, Edinburgh in 2023

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has warned it will take a "zero-tolerance" approach to disorder when responding to incidents on Bonfire Night.

Firework Control Zones (FCZs) are active in Edinburgh and Glasgow in a bid to root out anti-social behaviour after a series of incidents targeting emergency workers.

Police Scotland will also enforce "dispersal zones" in certain areas where crowds may gather.

Officers have already seized more than a tonne of fireworks which were discovered in a van in Rosyth, Fife, last month.

And the SFRS said it expected to receive about 1,000 calls on Bonfire Night.

Garry Mackay, head of operations, said crews would be out responding to incidents from mid-afternoon onwards.

But he warned they should not be put at risk while going about their duties.

Garry Mackay said SFRS crews should not be targted in the line of duty

Mr Mackay said: "We're not there to spoil anyone's fun, we're there to keep people safe.

"In terms of crews being targeted, we have a zero-tolerance policy.

"What is important to us is that our crews are protected and can do their jobs safely."

He urged potential troublemakers to consider the men and women who will be responding to calls on the busiest night of the year.

"They are fathers, mothers, daughters and sons, they should not be subjected to anything like that at their work," he added.

"But, on top of that, they are primarily there for public safety and any attack hinders their abilities to do their job and keep communities in Scotland safe."

Heavy police presences are expected to be in place within FCZs in both cities.

Local authorities were granted powers to introduce temporary measures in 2022 after a major riot in Dundee's Kirkton.

Under the restrictions, it is a criminal offence to set off a firework within the FCZ boundary or throw one into a specific zone.

Organised and licensed fireworks displays are not covered by the rules and sparklers are also allowed to be used privately.

Anyone breaching the restrictions could face up to six months in prison and a fine of up to £5,000.

Dispersal zones give police the power to direct anyone causing, or likely to cause, alarm or distress to leave the area for up to 24 hours.

Failure to comply with those orders may lead to arrest.

They are active in nine zones across Edinburgh until 9 November and three areas of Glasgow - Pollokshields, Govanhill and Broomhouse - until 10 November.

Bonfire night disorder

Last year, cars and homes were targeted with fireworks in Pollokshields.

Glasgow City Council was also due to have the exclusion areas in place in 2024, however a paperwork deadline was missed meaning the ban could not go ahead.

Bids were rejected for control zones this year in Woodlands Park, Gartcraig, Crossmyloof, Robroyston, Drumchapel, Ibrox, Yoker and North Kelvin.

Police were targeted with petrol bombs by youths in Niddrie in 2023

In Edinburgh the areas covered by the restrictions include Niddrie, which has been the location of repeated disorder in recent years.

Last year a police officer was injured when the window of a force vehicle was shattered and more than a dozen buses were damaged during an outbreak of violence.

In 2023 about 50 young people clashed with riot police, who were targeted with fireworks and petrol bombs.

Similar scenes of disorder erupted in Sighthill, where rockets were set off near a fuel tanker at a petrol station, and in Southhouse.

Both are also covered by the FCZ.

Other locations include Corstorphine, Moredun, Gracemount and Longstone.

However, concerns have been raised over the way the zones have been drawn up, with some boundaries splitting streets in half.

City of Edinburgh Council leader Jane Meagher said residents should only attend licensed events.

She added: "Our new Firework Control Zones are a direct response to community concerns and, alongside our other work, they will make a real difference – but this is only part of the solution.

"We're also asking residents to celebrate safely, be considerate of neighbours and pets, and most importantly, to attend an organised display wherever possible."

Police Scotland launched Operation Moonbeam earlier this month to tackle crimes involving fireworks across the Bonfire Night period.

This year will mark the first time officers will be equipped with body-worn video cameras as part of a national roll out of the technology.

Firework Control Zones are in place in Edinburgh's Niddrie

SSPCA head of advocacy Nicola Strachan encouraged pet owners to be "mindful" of the "frightening effect" fireworks could have on animals.

She suggested dog owners should walk their pets before 18:00, when licensed displays can begin.

Ms Strachan also suggested bringing smaller animals, such as rabbits, indoors and ensuring doors, windows and cat-flaps are closed to ensure scared animals do not run away.

Forvie Nature Reserve in Aberdeenshire has cautioned against letting off fireworks near Newburgh Beach due to the potential impact on two seal pups in the area.

They said an incident last year caused one pup to be abandoned.

Roxie the baby red panda was three months old when she died last year

Meanwhile, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has reiterated its call for a ban on the public sale of fireworks after the death of one of its red pandas last year.

The zoo is covered by the Corstorphine FCZ this year, but in 2024 "frightening noises" caused by fireworks exploding nearby were cited as the cause of death for three-month-old red panda kit Roxie.

Her mother, Ginger, also died five days earlier, which the zoo did not rule was caused by firework stress.

RZSS deputy chief executive Ben Supple said: "While the new exclusion zone is a very positive step, loud and unpredictable fireworks continue to cause real distress for animals and people across Scotland.

"Roxie's death was a tragic reminder of how dangerous this issue can be.

"We hope everyone will think carefully about the impact of fireworks and support our call for a national ban on their public sale."