'Bonfire night attacks are getting more dangerous'

Crew Commander Steven Gibson and Station Commander Paul Timmons condemn attacks on their crews

On Monday a fire crew was attacked twice in one night in Ardrossan, North Ayrshire, after being called out to attend a bonfire.

A band of youths pelted the fire appliances with eggs, stones and bricks - forcing them to retreat until the police arrived and allowed them to put the fire out.

Local crew commander Steven Gibson has been stationed in the area for 17 years, he told BBC Scotland News that the attacks are nothing new.

"These things often escalate, so it starts off small - stones, then becomes eggs, then becomes bricks and it's got to the point in the past where it's been large pieces of wood with nails protruding," he said.

"So it is getting more and more dangerous to the point where someone is going to get seriously hurt."

The incident in Ardrossan was followed by by two further attacks in the Southhouse and Sighthill areas of Edinburgh on Halloween.

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For the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SRFS), the bonfire period is the busiest time of year and it said it would be taking a zero-tolerance approach to attacks on its staff.

"There's an element of danger to the job we do, but we don't expect that danger to come from members of the public like this," Mr Gibson said.

"So it is disappointing when you are trying to help people and that's the response you get."

None of the attacks led to crew injuries although the SRFS said a number of fire appliances sustained damage and one had to be removed from operational duty.

Deputy Assistant Chief Officer, Garry Mackay, said what crews in Ardrossan experienced is both concerning and reflective of a national picture.

"We will see crews in what is clearly their busiest weekend of the year," he said.

"Ultimately our firefighters need to be able to go out, render incredibly important duties in the community and make that difference and they need to know that they can do that without being subject to attacks."

Police in riot gear deployed at Halloween in Dundee in 2022

The number of reported incidents relating to fireworks offences actually dropped slightly last year.

The SRFS also said the number of deliberate fires set in the run up to Bonfire Night has dropped by nearly a third over the past five years.

But there were multiple notable instances of attacks against emergency services last year, a riot in Dundee on Halloween and another in Edinburgh on Bonfire Night.

To tackle the issue a new law was introduced in 2022 by the Scottish government which restricts when fireworks can be used, prohibits giving them to children, and sets specific time limits on firework use to minimise harm.

But Mr Mackay said it will take co-operation from local communities to make a difference.

"Our ask ultimately is that the communities take action to make sure that our crews can respond safely and ultimately work together with our other partners to keep them as safe as possible," he said.

"Please attend organised bonfires, please don't mess around and throw fireworks or in anyway attack or make it difficult for our crews to do their job."