Police vehicle set alight and seven arrests as emergency crews attacked with fireworks on Bonfire Night in Scotland

Seven arrests were made and a police vehicle was set alight as emergency crews were attacked with fireworks across Scotland on Bonfire Night, according to Police Scotland.

A police officer and an ambulance staff member suffered minor injuries in Glasgow.

Police said fewer situations needed a specialist public order response than last year, but fireworks-related calls went up.

Fireworks calls up on last year

Operation Amberlight saw specialist police resources support local policing teams across the country.

Police received 1,024 fireworks-related calls between 31 October and 5 November.

That compares with 833 calls last year.

Police said there was a reduction in the number of situations needing a specialist public order response.

What happened in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Clydebank

At around 7.55pm, police in Glasgow went with the Scottish Ambulance Service to a report of an injured male in Greenside Street.

Both crews were attacked with fireworks, which left a police vehicle set alight and seriously damaged.

One police officer and an ambulance staff member suffered minor injuries.

Operation Amberlight specialist resources were deployed and a 16-year-old male was arrested.

In Edinburgh, officers went to Oxgangs Road North at around 5pm after a group created a blockade in the road and set it alight.

Police at the scene were then targeted with fireworks, and Operation Amberlight resources went in to support them.

The group left the area.

Fireworks were also thrown at police and public vehicles in the Gracemount and Gilmerton areas of the city.

Similar offences happened in Clydebank at around 6pm.

There were reports of fireworks being thrown at members of the public, and officers who went to the scene were also targeted.

WATCH: Fireworks Control Zone ignored

Other areas

Police said a significant group of people was reported to be gathering in the Kirkton area of Dundee and setting illegal fires.

Operation Amberlight resources were made available to support local officers, but they weren't needed and were stood down.

A proportionate policing response was in place for the Celtic v Besiktas Europa League match, which passed without serious incident.

Police said no resource was required in relation to information online about a planned protest in Glasgow.

In Edinburgh, 21 dispersal orders were issued, with 13 issued in Glasgow.

No one was charged with breaching Firework Control Zones.

Police said fire crews were also attacked in the Castlemilk and Knightswood areas of Glasgow, Cumnock in Ayrshire, Larkhall in South Lanarkshire and Blackridge in West Lothian.

There were no injuries to fire service personnel and no serious damage to their appliances.

Police response

Seven arrests were made on the evening of Thursday 5 November.

Police said investigations into offences across the country will now begin, and anyone with information is asked to come forward.

Chief Superintendent David Robertson, Gold Commander for Operation Amberlight, said: "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."

He said: "The communities of Scotland have overwhelmingly showed 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."

He said: "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."

He said: "I want to make it clear that thorough investigations will now take place to identify those responsible and bring them to justice."

He said: "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."

Fire service figures

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said it received 1,172 calls between 5.30pm and 11.30pm.

Firefighters attended more than 767 callouts, including 335 bonfires.

The SFRS said there were six reported attacks on firefighters.

It said attacks were recorded in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee, and included fireworks, rocks and glass bottles being thrown at crews and appliances.

There were no injuries or serious damage to appliances.

However, the SFRS said crews had to withdraw from several callouts because the area was unsafe, or wait for Police Scotland support before tackling a fire.

In some areas, Police Scotland escorted SFRS crews as part of Operation Amberlight.

Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Ian McMeekin, SFRS Head of Prevention, said: "This was one of the busiest nights of the year for our firefighters and Operations Control, and I would like to thank everyone who played a part in helping to keep their communities safe."

He said: "It is deeply disappointing that colleagues were once again subjected to attacks which in some cases prevented them from carrying out their duties."

He said: "Firefighters are there to protect communities and respond to emergencies, and no member of our staff or our partners should face abuse, intimidation or violence for doing their job."

He said: "We take a zero-tolerance approach to attacks on emergency workers and will continue to work closely with Police Scotland to identify those responsible."

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