Police urge witnesses to come forward after ‘unacceptable’ Bonfire Night disorder in Edinburgh
Detectives are urging residents with footage of the unrest to come forward
Detectives have vowed to bring to justice those involved in Thursday’s Bonfire Night disorder which saw youths in Oxgangs barricade a road and shoot fireworks at police officers.
Residents with footage of the unrest are being urged by police to come forward as detectives begin their investigation into the night's events.
Officers drafted in from across Britain were sent to the area at around 5.30pm after receiving reports that a group of youths had blockaded Oxgangs Road North.
Hours of disorder followed as an Evening News photographer was forced to hide from fireworks aimed at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service who were dispatched to distinguish several small bin fires.
A Police helicopter was eventually deployed as the area descended into what one resident described as a “warzone”.
One local described returning from a family meal to find their community “on fire”, with a group attempting to “burn out” a Scotmid store.
No one is believed to have been injured in the unrest.
Detective Inspector Sophie McWhinnie said: “Antisocial behaviour, disorder and targeting officers in this way is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
“Extensive enquiries are ongoing to identify those responsible and ensure they are brought to justice.”
“We’re appealing for anyone who was in the area who witnessed what happened, or may have mobile phone footage, to get in touch.
“We’d also urge people to check any private CCTV, ring doorbells or dashcams in case they have captured anything which could be of significance to our investigation.”
Although the area was subject to a dispersal order at the time, it had not been designated as one of the 14 Firework Control Zones in which the use of fireworks even on private property were prohibited.
Speaking after the unrest, council leader Jane Meagher said she was “angry and disappointed” at the attacks on emergency services.
She said: “We cannot and must not accept this type of mindless behaviour, in particular the targeting of our emergency services, and I hope those responsible are caught and brought to justice as soon as possible.
Seven people were arrested during Bonfire Night across Scotland, with a police vehicle completely burned-out in Glasgow.
Those with any information about the Oxgangs disorder are encouraged to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 2538 of Thursday, 5 November, 2026.