Glasgow felt like 'warzone' despite firework zones, say locals

Firework control orders had been brought in for three areas in Glasgow

Parts of Glasgow "felt like warzones" due to the amount of fireworks set off on Bonfire Night, residents have told BBC Scotland News.

Firework control orders were brought in for three areas in the city - Pollokshields, Govanhill and Broomhouse - in an attempt to crack down on pyrotechnics being continually fired.

However residents in the affected zones said it was difficult to see any difference from previous years.

Other parts of the city such as Maryhill and Knightswood were also heavily affected, with 20 Dispersal Orders issued by police throughout Glasgow.

Susan Scott, who has lived in Govanhill for several years, said the fireworks felt louder than ever before.

She told the BBC: "It was going all night and it felt like proper displays - they were so loud. It honestly felt worse than normal.

"It was so close to your windows, it actually got quite frightening. It used to be wee bangers going off but these were fancy fireworks. It was wild, and it went on so long.

"My neighbours have pets and they'd left for the night as they were expecting it to be bad. There was a lot of sirens you could hear too, and it felt like it was another level from the past few years."

Emily Glen, another Govanhill resident, said the fireworks had been going off for weeks - despite the control order being in place from 1 November.

"The control zones are doing literally nothing," she said. "We've had fireworks going off every single night, right through to the early hours of the morning.

"They're going off in the park at Riccarton Street and Hickman Street every night."

However locals in Pollokshields reported a quieter night, with social media posts saying the area had remained calm.

Police spoke to locals at a house party near Govanhill who had shot a number of fireworks into the air

A resident living in the city's Maryhill area told BBC Scotland the sheer noise of some of the fireworks took her aback.

She said: "I honestly thought at one point the bedroom window was shaking, it was that loud.

"I felt I could have been outside next to them. Maryhill felt like a warzone with the noise."

Other parts of the west of Scotland were also affected.

Fireworks were thrown at emergency services vehicles and one person was injured after a firework hit a car in Clydebank, while social media footage showed huge amounts of pyrotechnics being set off in the area.

One resident who lives there but asked not to be named said local children and teenagers were targeting shops and pubs in the area by throwing lit fireworks at them.

He said: "One of the local pubs closed early because of it - they felt it was a risk to the safety of people there.

"Compared to other years, this year has by far been the worst.

"The fireworks being set off weren't the usual little bangs, these were like explosions.

"They sounded more like bombs than fireworks and were still going off past midnight. It was ridiculous."

Police Scotland Det Insp Pamela Grant said: "Luckily no-one was seriously injured by this dangerous and reckless behaviour, however the consequences could have been much more serious.

"A car with a woman and two children inside had its window smashed after a firework was thrown at it. At around 22:40 a man was struck by a firework by the youths responsible."

The force said extensive inquiries were ongoing regarding the incidents and anyone with any information should contact them.

A bonfire was lit in the city's Pollokshaws area

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said it responded to 751 emergency calls over an eight-hour period across Scotland, with two attacks being recorded against fire service personnel.

Police Scotland said there had been was a "notable" reduction in Bonfire Night disorder throughout the country, with the number of calls received down by 37%.