'It's the same circus every year': Edinburgh readers react to Bonfire Night 'chaos'
Locals branded the unrest in Oxgangs and Colinton Mains, were police were targeted with fireworks, as “disgraceful”
Readers have condemned the scenes of disorder and destruction on the streets of Edinburgh on Bonfire Night, with many calling for an outright ban on firework sales to crack down on misuse and anti-social behaviour.
On Thursday evening, police descended on Colinton Mains, Oxgangs and Firrhill as disorder erupted, with a police helicopter dispatched as the situation escalated.
Youths formed a blockade on Oxgangs Road North and set it alight, throwing fireworks at police before making off into the night.
Eyewitnesses also described how youths threw fireworks and bottles at a Scotmid store, with one man saying he returned from a family meal to find his community “on fire”.
Officers later confirmed fireworks had also been thrown at police in the Gracemount and Gilmerton areas.
Locals branded the disorder a “disgrace”, with one saying it felt like “the same circus every year”.
Watson Thomas said: “People like this are exactly why fireworks get such a bad reputation.
“The vast majority of people simply enjoy fireworks, celebrate with them and have absolutely no intention of causing harm.
“It's genuinely disappointing and disgraceful to hear about incidents like this.”
Gillian Frost lamented: “Whatever happened to the days when parents used to take their kids to the local bonfire display and you were given a sparkler to enjoy.”
Resident John Paton said Colinton Mains Park was a “mess” on Friday morning and that he had picked up and disposed of some of wreckage himself.
Many said they would support an outright ban on the private sale of fireworks, which was proposed by the Scottish Greens this week ahead of Bonfire Night.
Gail Lowson said: “Ban the sales online and in shops. Only allow them at organised, seated events.
“That would save the fire bridge, police and ambulances getting hoax calls from the ferals and getting pelted with stones and bricks when they turn up.
“They don't even know or care about Guy Fawkes just hell bent on causing trouble and destruction.”
But locals in Niddrie, where serious disorder has broken out in previous years, said the night had been relatively quiet, suggesting the heavy police presence and Firework Control Zone had worked to deter those seeking to cause havoc on Bonfire Night.
Niddrie resident Emma Richmond said: “It was reassuring. Thanks to the cops. Shame it kicked off elsewhere.”
Tracey McBurnie called for a Firework Control Zone to be introduced in Oxgangs next year, saying there is trouble in the area “every year”.
Police said a total of 21 Dispersal Orders were issued in Edinburgh, and said no one was charged in relation to any breaches of Firework Control Zones.
Seven arrests across the country were made on Thursday evening and investigations will now begin.
Anyone with information is being asked to contact the police.