Edinburgh Bonfire Night 2025: 13 pictures of how Bonfire Night 2025 unfolded

Across Scotland, Police Scotland received around 500 fewer calls between October 31 and November 5 than usual, with only minor anti-social behaviour and disorder in certain areas of Edinburgh and Midlothian.

There was a heavy police presence in Niddrie in the early evening, with as many as 20 police vans and numerous officers on the ground. Officers were supported from the air by a police helicopter which circled the area periodically.

At around 5.30pm, Public Order Officers responded to calls relating to anti-social behaviour and youths throwing fireworks within the Calder Road and Sighthill Park areas. Upon arrival of police, those involved dispersed and no further serious offences took place.

To date, 25 Dispersal Orders were issued in Edinburgh. Officers in the Capital also carried out 34 stop and searches under the Section 60 policing powers implemented for Bonfire Night.

There have been no reports of injury to police officers or other emergency service personnel over the last week.

Operation Moonbeam is Police Scotland’s public order response to addressing serious disorder over the Bonfire Night period and in 2025, more specialist resource than ever before was dedicated to help protect local communities from harm. For the first time during Moonbeam deployments, various officers were equipped with Body Worn Video.

Over the past few weeks, police seized more than two tonnes of illegal fireworks that intelligence suggested were intended for use in disorder.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, Gold Commander for Operation Moonbeam said: “First and foremost, I want to offer my thanks to the public across Scotland for their overwhelming support of our policing response and for working closely with us to make this a successful operation.

“While police were required to deploy into various areas and address certain incidents arising, there has been a notable and welcome reduction in both the number of serious disorder offences occurring, and the level of violence and hostility directed towards police officers, fire fighters, and ambulance crews.

“There will be follow-up criminal inquiries undertaken in relation to some of the offences that took place, and I want to make it clear again that the criminal use of fireworks will not be tolerated.

“What’s really encouraging is the level of positive engagement we’ve had with communities over the last few months, and this has helped shape our policing plans for Operation Moonbeam, as well as providing vital intelligence that has led to some significant fireworks recoveries in advance of the Bonfire Night period.

“I am grateful to all of the partners and stakeholders who worked alongside us in the planning and delivery of Operation Moonbeam and to each and every officer and member of staff whose dedication and professionalism have made this a successful policing operation.”

Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Kenny Barbour, SFRS Head of Prevention, added "I would like to take this opportunity to thank our staff, and all emergency responders across Scotland, for their tireless efforts during this busy and challenging period.

"The bonfire season is always our busiest period of the year and presents us with some unique challenges in terms of keeping our staff and communities safe.

"But that is why our preparatory work is so key and I would like to thank our partners for their continued support in this joint effort.

"Thank you also to our communities for following our key safety guidance and for respecting our staff. Their support is invaluable in allowing us to be there for those who need our help the most."