Police Scotland has announced its criminal investigations into Bonfire Night disorder began on Wednesday, November 6, with cops across the country following ‘positive lines of inquiry’ to identify those responsible.
In a statement, officers revealed certain areas of Scotland experienced ‘significant levels’ of disorder, with the Pollokshields area in the city being one of the most ‘adversely affected’.
Other areas in Scotland that experienced higher levels of disorder on Bonfire Night were the Niddrie, Calder Road, Gracemount and Moredun areas of Edinburgh.
In each of these regions, cops and other emergency service crews required the assistance of Operation Moonbeam assets to tackle violence and damage being caused by large groups of youths who threw fireworks and other projectiles at officers, vehicles and public property.
Fires were also set in some of these areas, causing fear and alarm to the local communities.
Other isolated incidents involving the reckless or criminal use of fireworks were also reported in various parts of both cities.
In Glasgow, police and firefighters from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) responded to a large number of unauthorised bonfires being lit and were met with large groups of hostile youths upon their attendance.
Following the incidents, detectives have said they are investigating each one of them.
READ MORE: Startling images show bonfire damage on Glasgow road
Meanwhile, startling images show the damage from a bonfire lit in the middle of a Glasgow road.
The horrific blaze was thought to have started on Albert Drive at its crossroads with Herriet Street in the Pollokshields area on Bonfire evening.
Footage previously shared on social media showed the centre of a mini roundabout up in flames as well as fireworks being lit on Albert Drive.
(Image: Supplied) In the aftermath, the roundabout is covered in ash and debris, with what looks like burnt-out rubbish and food waste strewn across the road.
In the images shared with us by Glasgow Times camera club member Niki Bryce, police were still on the scene on Wednesday morning.
Officers confirmed that they are looking into this specific incident and trying to track down the culprits.
(Image: Supplied) Chief Inspector Chris Thomson said: “An investigation is underway to identify those involved in incidents of disorder last night in the Herriet Street and Albert Drive areas of Pollokshields.
“If you have information, please call 101, quoting incident number 4535.”
Meanwhile, cops also revealed ‘pockets’ of disorder took place across the city, with youths seen throwing fireworks at members of the public, cars and police officers.
On top of that, firefighters were subjected to two attacks in Clydebank, near Glasgow, as part of their response to 347 bonfires and 598 incidents across the country on November 5.
(Image: Niki Bryce) Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs praised emergency services for their courage and help to ensure some incidents did not escalate into ‘mass disorder’, but slammed those involved in the violence as ‘wholly unacceptable’.
Ahead of Bonfire Night, Glasgow City Council failed to enforce a firework control zone in the area and apologised to Southside residents for their delay in introducing a ban, which would have come into effect from November 1 until November 10 and covered public and private spaces including gardens.
The council published a legal notice of the control zone too late for the ban to take place over Bonfire Night, which councillor Ruairi Kelly said was ‘regrettable and quite honestly embarrassing’.
(Image: Niki Bryce) This feeling has been echoed by Ameen Mohammed, the chair of Pollokshields Community Council, who says he received numerous calls from ‘outraged’ residents regarding the failure.
Mr Mohammed has been helping the campaign for a fireworks control zone since Bonfire Night in 2018 which saw yobs wearing balaclavas setting off fireworks and attacking police officers in Pollokshields.
Between 30 and 40 youths caused damage to windows and struck passing cars by setting off industrial-sized fireworks between Herriet Street and Albert Drive, the same location as the bonfire lit on November 5, 2024.
(Image: Niki Bryce) Mr Mohammed added: “It’s disappointing that the council missed an opportunity to enhance community safety, and now we’re seeing renewed issues with anti-social behaviour.”
A spokesperson for the council said: “We are very sorry that the firework control zone for Pollokshields was unable to go ahead as we had hoped for this year’s Bonfire Night.
“The legal notice needed to create the zone was not issued in enough time to ensure it could come into effect as planned for between November 1 and November 10 this year.
“Unfortunately this meant the zone was not be legally enforceable for Bonfire Night and implementation of the zone will now be deferred until next year.
“Members of the Pollokshields community who applied to have a firework control zone for their area were written to directly and we apologised to them for not having the zone in place in time.
“During bonfire and fireworks season we work with our partners in the emergency services to address the community safety concerns that have been expressed in relation to November 5 in Pollokshields and other parts of the city.
“Our staff have helped to remove material intended for bonfires, undertaken Trading Standards checks on shops selling fireworks and coordinated with the emergency services to provide appropriate CCTV support.
“Unacceptable anti-social and criminal behaviour connected to Bonfire Night and the misuse of fireworks are matters for the police to enforce.”
On Wednesday, police revealed between Thursday, October 31 and Wednesday, November 6, a total of 19 arrests have been made throughout Scotland in connection with alleged fireworks offences.
Meanwhile, six people have been charged under the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles Act, while a further 26 charges have been brought against individuals for associated criminality.
Further arrests are expected to be made in the coming days.
Officers have also set up a Major Incident Public Portal, allowing communities to share video and photo evidence of Bonfire Night offences taking place in their area.
We have launched criminal investigations across the country following disorder experienced on Bonfire Night.
Members of the public can submit their own photographic or video evidence of crimes in their area here➡️ https://t.co/dBewH9KVf9
Read more➡️ https://t.co/lAagXILKtk pic.twitter.com/a8CE27ZMLv
— Police Scotland (@PoliceScotland) November 6, 2024
Following the Bonfire Night disorder, Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, Gold Commander for Operation Moonbeam, said: “Now that our Bonfire Night deployments have stood down, our investigation teams will begin reviewing all the evidence we obtained through Body Worn Video, Air Support Unit footage and statements from the public.
“This will help us establish the identities of those who chose to cause harm within our communities and who sought to attack and injure emergency service workers.
“While I am encouraged that we didn’t see the same levels of serious disorder when compared to last year, I am under no illusion that the actions of a minority of individuals still had a significant and detrimental impact on various communities across Scotland.
“Their actions will not be tolerated, and detectives are working tirelessly to make arrests and ensure all of those involved in the offences we witnessed are brought to account.”
READ MORE: Police raced to Bonfire Night incident at Glasgow primary school
Chief Superintendent Lynn Ratcliff, Divisional Commander for Greater Glasgow Division, said: “The overwhelming majority of those within Glasgow chose to enjoy Bonfire Night in the proper spirit.
“However, groups of young people, motivated to cause the maximum amount of fear and alarm carried out targeted disorder in certain parts of the city.
“This put not only local residents at risk but meant police officers, fire service personnel and ambulance crews were in danger of being injured, as they responded to protect communities.
“Thankfully, however, no injuries were reported.
“Detectives across Glasgow are reviewing all evidence they obtained during Bonfire Night, and working with the public to gather more information, which will help bring these offenders to justice.
“If you believe you can assist with our ongoing inquiries then please get in touch.”
A spokesperson for Police Scotland added: “Anyone with footage that can assist officers in identifying people involved in fireworks-related crime can submit it to https://mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT24S16-PO1.”
