Edinburgh firework ban zones come into force

Firework control zones were first introduced in Edinburgh last year

Special zones where the use of fireworks is banned have come into force in Edinburgh in a bid to prevent disorder around Bonfire Night.

The city became the first in Scotland to introduce fireworks control zones (FCZs) last year in response to widespread anti-social behaviour which saw riot police targeted with missiles and pyrotechnics.

Under the restrictions, it is a criminal offence to set off a firework within the FCZ boundary or throw one into a zone between 31 October and 9 November.

Glasgow is also set to introduce FCZs for the first time on Saturday after a failed attempt to do so in 2024.

Last year, a police officer was injured and more than a dozen buses were damaged in the Niddrie area of Edinburgh when youths clashed with officers.

Lothian Buses withdrew nine services due to anti-social behaviour and the window of a police vehicle was shattered.

That came a year after an estimated 50 young people clashed with riot police in the same area.

Fireworks and petrol bombs were thrown directly at officers, while there were similar incidents in Sighthill and Southhouse.

Police Scotland said 62 officers were injured during that period of disorder.

Local authorities were given powers to introduce FCZs in 2022 following a major riot in Dundee.

City of Edinburgh Council was the first to vote in favour of the zones in August last year.

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

Council leader Jane Meagher told BBC Scotland News in September the boundaries were "arbitrary", after it emerged Hay Avenue in Niddrie – the site of disorder in 2023 – had been split down the middle, with one side in the FCZ and the other side outside of it.

Control zones covering the use of fireworks in certain areas of the city have been put in place

Last year, a petrol station on Calder Road in Sighthill – which has also been split by the FCZ – was targeted with fireworks, while rockets were set off near a fuel tanker.

Other FCZ locations include Corstorphine, Moredun, Gracemount and Longstone.

Organised and licensed fireworks displays are not covered by the restrictions.

Meagher said she was pleased that all but two fireworks retailers in Edinburgh had decided not to sell fireworks this year.

She praised the FCZs and dispersal zones, which allow officers to instruct groups of two or more people to move on.

She added: "These zones are designed to address concerns about the dangerous misuse of fireworks and to protect vulnerable people, animals, and the environment.

"Following applications from communities, the locations were carefully selected based on data and evidence, as well as feedback from residents.

"However, we know they're not a catch all solution which is why we've been working closely with partners to make sure there are a range of measures in place so that local communities can celebrate Bonfire Night safely."

Fireworks seized

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

About 200kg of pyrotechnics were seized from a storage locker in West Lothian on 15 October over concerns they may be used in disorder. Two men have since appeared in court on conspiracy charges.

And on Thursday, a tonne of fireworks worth £42,000 were discovered in a van in Rosyth in Fife. A 24-year-old man was arrested and placed under curfew from 31 October to 6 November and he will appear in court at a later date.

The force also released a new video on Thursday showing the impact of past disorder on emergency services workers, bus drivers and members of the public.

The control zone's boundary runs down the middle of Hay Avenue, where there was serious disorder in 2023

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.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs said: "Last year saw a reduction in serious disorder offences and a dramatic reduction in the number of officers injured.

"However, we still saw unacceptable levels of violence and disorder in parts of Glasgow and Edinburgh, leaving communities in these areas in a state of fear and alarm.

"This was wholly unacceptable, and we immediately launched a major criminal investigation to identify those responsible and bring them to justice."

He welcomed the decision to introduce more FCZs this year.

"We're encouraged by that and we'll work with partners and communities to ensure that we're able to enforce those," he said.

"The intention behind them is to ensure communities aren't disrupted, including animals and vulnerable people. So that's a really positive thing."

Glasgow's firework control zones will cover parts of Broomhouse, Govanhill and Pollokshields from 1 November to 10 November.

Community Safety Minister Siobhan Brown said: "Misuse of fireworks puts communities and emergency services at risk and will not be tolerated.

"While Police Scotland reported a reduction in serious disorder on Bonfire Night last year, the Scottish government will continue to support the police and courts in taking firm action against those who do break the law."