Riot police called in as fireworks and bricks thrown at vehicles in Edinburgh

The attacks were on a smaller scale than those pictured here which were carried out in the same area of Edinburgh last year

Riot officers have been called in after police vehicles and buses came under attack from a number of people throwing fireworks and bricks in Edinburgh.

Officers were called to reports of disorder involving fireworks around Hay Avenue in the Niddrie area of the city. People have been urged to avoid the area.

On Bonfire Night last year, about 100 young people clashed with riot police with fireworks and petrol bombs being thrown directly at officers in the same area of Edinburgh, while there were similar incidents in Sighthill and Southhouse.

Lothian Buses confirmed it had withdrawn at least nine bus services due to anti-social behaviour.

A spokesperson said: "Lothian adopt a zero-tolerance approach to all instances of antisocial behaviour.

"The safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and customers must be our main priority."

The disorder broke out just hours before a new law banning the use of fireworks around Bonfire Night in certain parts of the city - including Niddrie - came into force.

The Firework Control Zone will run from 1 to 10 November and anyone setting off a private firework during this period will be committing a criminal offence.

The Scottish government gave local authorities new powers to designate ‘firework control zones’ (FCZs) in 2022 following a major riot in Dundee.

City of Edinburgh Council became the first in Scotland to vote for implementing the measures in August.

It means no fireworks can be set off unless part of a licensed public display.

The council’s culture and communities committee voted against a zone covering the entire city.

Speaking as the disorder broke out on Thursday night, Edinburgh Council's leader Cammy Day said he was "shocked and saddened to hear of the mindless violence and disorder".

"This is a time for families and young people to come together and enjoy Halloween in a safe environment, so it’s incomprehensible to me that anyone would choose to cause such disruption, fear and alarm in our communities – particularly with hooligans deliberately targeting buses and police vehicles.

"I would appeal to anyone who can help identify those responsible to contact police as soon as possible so they can be dealt with appropriately through the justice system."

A road closure was put in place at the junction of Niddrie Mains Road and Duddingston Park South, and the junction of Niddrie Mains Road and Greendykes Road.

At shortly after 23:00 GMT police said roads had now reopened, but that officers remained in the area.