'Fireworks set off in direction of police' during Bonfire Night disturbance
'These people are ruining our community...'
Last updated 5th Nov 2026
Police have revealed fireworks were set off in their direction after they were called to a disturbance in Edinburgh on Bonfire Night.
Officers were responding to reports of youths creating a blockage in the road when they appeared to be targeted.
The dramatic scenes unfolded on Oxgangs Road North around 5.30pm this evening (Thursday).
Several small fires in bins and the nearby park have also been extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
Footage shared online showed police in riot gear and a helicopter shining a spotlight over the area.
No injuries have been reported, but officers remain in the area, and enquiries are ongoing to trace those involved.
Edinburgh South West MP Scott Arthur said: "These people are ruining our community - please dial 101 if you have any information that will help bring them to justice."
Police Scotland has called in assistance from forces in England and Wales to help with Bonfire Night operations, as it mounts the biggest deployment of officers since the visit of US President Donald Trump last year.
The November 5th celebrations coincide with a major European football clash and a possible protest in Glasgow, and officers from as far afield as Avon and Somerset, Hampshire, Hertfordshire and South Wales will be on the streets of Scotland.
Fourteen firework control zones are in place across Edinburgh, which makes setting off fireworks illegal even on private property.
The restrictions were introduced to clampdown on widespread disorder witnessed in the city two years ago and will remain in force until Sunday, November 8th.
Earlier today, police announced a man has been arrested after a large quantity of fireworks, with a retail value of more than £5000, was seized in Edinburgh.
It comes after officers recovered 200kgs of fireworks during a swoop on a van on London Road around 9.30pm on Wednesday, with some capable of firing 555 individual rockets.
The 39-year-old was charged in connection with possession of fireworks in a public place and is due to appear in court at a later date.
READ MORE: Two youths charged after fireworks thrown on Bonnyrigg High Street
Chief Superintendent David Robertson said: “It is an offence to buy, possess, or use fireworks without a valid licence and anyone caught doing so may face fines, seizure of items and potential prosecution.
“There was huge potential for these fireworks to be distributed around the city for the purposes of causing disorder. The misuse of fireworks presents a significant risk to the public and emergency personnel, and can result in serious injury, fires and damage to properties.
“Officers will continue to carry out enquiries in the Edinburgh area to detect and disrupt the illegal sale or use of fireworks, and we remain committed to working with partner agencies to ensure everyone’s safety.
“We rely on intelligence from the local communities, and anyone with information about planned disorder or concerns about fireworks is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.”
Emergency services have also been subjected to violent attacks including having bricks, missiles, and fireworks thrown at them, south of the border, in North Tyneside.
Northumbria Police said: "We believe the disorder has been pre-arranged and relates to misinformation in the community that the completed building is going to be used as a House of Multi-occupancy (HMO) – which is not accurate. The site is planned for use as a supermarket.
"This behaviour is completely unacceptable, and we are working swiftly to identify those responsible and deal with them robustly. We simply will not tolerate this behaviour – and it doesn’t belong within our neighbourhoods."