Bonfire Night 2026: Police receive over 1,000 fireworks related calls and make 7 arrests
Police say more fireworks calls than last year, but fewer serious incidents
Police Scotland received more than 1,000 fireworks-related calls around Bonfire Night, an increase on last year, and made a total of seven arrests across the country on the night.
In total, there were 1,024 calls across Scotland between October 31 and November 5 this year, compared with 833 calls in 2025, but police said there had been a reduction in the number of serious incidents requiring a specialist public order response.
Police Scotland said: “During the evening officers in Edinburgh responded to Oxgangs Road North around 5pm after a group created a blockade in the road and set it alight.
“Police in attendance were then targeted with fireworks and Operation Amberlight resources responded in support. The group made off from the area.
“There were also incidents of police and public vehicles having fireworks thrown at them in the Gracemount and Gilmerton areas of the city.”
Between 5.30pm and 11.30pm on Bonfire Night, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service received over 800 calls relating to fireworks and bonfires. Police said there were attacks on fire crews deployed to Blackridge in West Lothian, as well as other places across the country, but there were no injuries to fire service personnel and no serious damage to their appliances.
A total of 21 Dispersal Orders were issued in Edinburgh, with 13 in Glasgow. No one was charged in relation to any breaches of Firework Control Zones.
Police said seven arrests were made during Thursday evening and investigations into the offences that occurred across the country will now begin. Anyone with information is being asked to come forward.
Chief Superintendent David Robertson, Gold Commander for Operation Amberlight, said: “Our policing operation covering the Halloween and Bonfire Night has been one of the most complex and demanding deployments in recent memory involving the largest number of officers since the visit of President Trump in 2025.
“While we have seen a rise in the overall number of calls relating to fireworks incidents between Halloween and Bonfire Night 2026, when compared to last year, I am encouraged by the reduction in serious incidents requiring us to mobilise specialist resources during this time.
“The communities of Scotland have overwhelmingly shown their commitment to enjoying both Halloween and Bonfire Night in the proper spirit. Furthermore, the collaboration and readiness from our key partners to stand shoulder-to-shoulder alongside us during the planning and delivery of this operation has been exceptional.
“Nevertheless, we have seen, yet again, an unacceptable number of incidents where the police and our emergency service colleagues have been attacked with fireworks and other projectiles. This resulted in one of our officers and a colleague from the Scottish Ambulance Service sustaining minor injuries.
“This simply must stop. Police officers, ambulance staff and firefighters and there to protect communities – not the be the target of violence. The behaviour we saw tonight resulted in an ambulance colleague sustain a minor injury and left one of our own vehicles badly damaged, meaning it is out of service for use within our communities.
“I want to make it clear that thorough investigations will now take place to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.
“Despite these challenges, however, I do want to recognise the outstanding support we’ve seen from the majority of the public, both in the run-up to Halloween and Bonfire Night and on the evenings themselves.
“It’s been heartening to see the positive level of community engagement and in many instances, this has led to vital intelligence, which helped seize significant quantities of fireworks before they could be used for criminal activity and to disrupt the activities of those planning to involve themselves in disorder.”