Zero tolerance approach towards violence and threatening behaviour on Bonfire Night - Kieran Dougal

​In addition to being the North East Edinburgh Local Area Commander, I am also the Silver Commander for Operation Crackle 2023, which is the city of Edinburgh’s policing response to keep the public safe during the Bonfire Night period.

The Niddrie area of Edinburgh was locked down after a serious disturbance on Bonfire Night 2022

As such, I wanted to provide an update around our approach to this year’s operation, which aims to ensure the safety of our community, partners and my officers.

Working with partners plays a vital part of our preparatory work ahead of Bonfire Night to highlight the risks associated with the reckless use of fireworks and consequences of such behaviour, as well as promoting a range of activities that aim to deter and prevent such incidents arising. More efforts to gather intelligence ahead of Bonfire Night will be coming in due course, so please stay tuned.

Our work also focusses on conducting environmental audits with City of Edinburgh Council Environmental Wardens and identifying areas where there is a risk of certain items, such as rubbish and other debris being set alight. Where possible, we will look to ensure these items are removed, however, in the run up to the Bonfire Night weekend, please dispose of your rubbish appropriately and consider bin storage. Should you witness any suspicious activity or if you want to report any criminal activity, please contact us via 101 or in an emergency, 999.

Last year, we saw isolated areas of significant disorder that caused considerable distress and alarm to communities, pictured. We saw individuals throwing fireworks and other projectiles at members of the public and emergency services. We also saw a number of our police vehicles damaged and some minor injuries to our officers who were within.

The behaviour of this minority of individuals was completely unacceptable and extensive enquiries were carried out to identify anyone involved. Following the incidents that arose last year, 29 people were charged for over 59 offences.

There will be a zero tolerance approach towards violence and threatening behaviour. Thanks to our work with COPFS, partners and youth services alongside the introduction of legislation last year the implications for those arrested and charged have never been more significant. The introduction of an emergency service worker aggravator that will be added to charges, means those charged are likely to face a more severe punishment going through the courts.

Planning for this year has been ongoing for several months, working alongside Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Scottish Government, SSPCA and City of Edinburgh Council to name a few. We have been engaging with young people through schools and our youth services partners around the risks associated with fireworks. Please have a discussion with any young people under your care or supervision about the dangers of handling, purchasing, or setting off fireworks.

Alternatively you can report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800555111 or information on illegal sales and storage of fireworks to Trading Standards. For more advice please go to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website and search bonfire safety or SSPCA website at scottishspca.org and search Firework Safety.

Please help us keep everyone safe and ensure this Bonfire Night is memorable for all the right reasons.