'It was like a normal Bonfire Night' - relieved residents of Niddrie

Ling Law said she was very happy she could walk her dog, Noodle, in the streets of Niddrie on Wednesday night

Residents in an area of Edinburgh, where there has been violent attacks and disorder on Bonfire Night, say they are "very relieved" there was no trouble this year.

A large number of officers were out on patrol in Niddrie, in the east of the capital, on Wednesday night while a helicopter circled overhead.

It is one of the areas of Edinburgh covered by firework control zones - which came into effect after emergency services were bombarded with fireworks, bricks and bottles in previous years.

This year police reported a "notable reduction" in incidents, while people in Niddrie told the BBC they were able to take walks, sleep soundly and enjoy the fireworks "like a normal Bonfire Night".

Meanwhile council cleansing teams brought in to clear up the aftermath told the BBC they also found very little signs of disorder.

Last year the road in Hay Avenue was scorched from a huge bonfire while used fireworks, rocks, bricks and bottles were strewn all over the streets.

Teams from the city's cleaning department were out in force to clear up any aftermath from Bonfire Night in Niddrie

Ling Law, 36, said the police patrolling this year had been "excellent" with unmarked police in cars roaming the streets too.

"I think that helped so by the time the police helicopter arrived there was no trouble, I'm very happy," she said.

"We only live a few doors down from where it happened last year and the noise was horrific. It sounded like the stuff you see on TV.

"It was like a war zone and then you hear the kids running up and down and climbing through people's back gardens and screaming and shouting."

She said her friends said how "surprised" they were that there had been no noise this year.

The mother-of-one added she had even been out for a walk on Bonfire Night with her dog, Noodle.

"It was much safer yesterday and I hope it's the same next year," she said.

"We went for a little walk last night and just enjoyed the noise of the fireworks without being afraid something might happen.

"It was like a normal Bonfire Night, that's what it should be, a celebration."

Elwira Sitowska with her dog Rudi said she was pleasantly surprised at how quiet Niddrie was on Bonfire Night

Elwira Sitowska, 21, a customer service advisor who lives in Edinburgh's Niddrie said there was a bigger police presence in the area this year.

"My partner came home after work saying there's so many police out there but nothing was actually happening," she said.

"He said it was rammed with police officers and he hasn't seen anything like it, not even at a football game.

"There was definitely more police here than last year."

Though Elwira said she was surprised how quiet it was, she believes a lot of people are getting "fed up" with taking part in violence.

She said: "I'm relieved and hopefully they are getting bored of it now and it's just easing away."

Margaret Quin said she was relieved not to be scared in her house like she was last year

Margaret Quin, 69, who has lived in Niddrie all her life said: "I heard fireworks but that was all, it was really nice so I feel a lot better.

"I think the police put out enough warnings that they would arrest people.

"Last year was horrific, I was scared in my house. There were fireworks right outside my window because I'm on the ground floor and they were banging my door."

Though many people in Niddrie agree the night passed calmly, one resident said he believed the heavy police presence had caused disorder to move to other parts of the city.

Rory, 38, said: "There was a lot of helicopter noise last night and I could hear some fireworks going off despite their being restrictions in place.

"When I heard the helicopter I thought, it's happening again.

"I've heard it was mainly in Sighthill last night. They moved to an area that wasn't so targeted by the police."

Rory is concerned that violence may return in future years.

He added: "If it's not here it's somewhere else so the problem is still in Edinburgh, it's not gone gone so although it didn't happen here I feel bad for the residents in other parts of Edinburgh."

Staff have been trapped in this local shop in Niddrie in previous years due to Bonfire Night rioting

In 2023 - when 50 youths clashed with riot police in Niddrie - staff in the local Day Today shop were trapped in the building until 22:00.

For the last two years the shop has not sold fireworks and on Wednesday, they decided to close two hours early to avoid any trouble.

Luqman Haiber, 31, who has worked in the shop for three years, said: "I am happy that everyone is safe, no stress and no stones, bricks and eggs on the streets like previous years, it's a big relief.

"I think it was quiet last night because of the things they had to face last year, the court proceedings and getting charged - that put them off because some of the customers, we know them, they got committed and if it didn't happen last year it would have been worse this year.

"So because of this they knew they would be facing the law if they don't abide by it so I think that helped."

Police officers patrolling Niddrie last night

Shuborna Deb, 43, who has lived in Niddrie for 13 years, said recent Bonfire Nights had been very frightening as her window had been hit by fireworks.

She said this year local schools had been asking parents to keep children at home.

"I am so happy," she said. "We were afraid but nothing happened and so we were very surprised.

"I think we have a new generation and they realise this is not good.

"I think the community and the police have both done a good job."