Edinburgh Police Urge Witnesses Following Bonfire Night Disorder 2026

Key Points:

• Police Scotland are seeking witnesses after anti-social behaviour and disorder broke out across Edinburgh on Bonfire Night.
• Crowds threw fireworks, bottles, and other missiles at police officers and firefighters responding to the scenes.
• Disturbances took place in several parts of the city, including Oxgangs Road North and areas across south Edinburgh.
• People overturned wheelie bins and set them on fire in the street, bringing out emergency service crews.
• Officers reported no physical injuries, while police confirmed seven arrests nationwide during Bonfire Night operations.
• Detective Inspector Sophie McWhinnie said attacks on emergency workers are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
• Officers want residents to check private CCTV, ring doorbells, and dashcams for footage that could help identify those involved.

Edinburgh (Edinburgh Daily) November 9, 2026 – Police Scotland have issued a urgent public appeal for witnesses, mobile phone recordings, and surveillance footage after groups of youths targeted officers with fireworks and missiles during Bonfire Night disruptions across the Scottish capital.

The disturbance, which escalated in areas such as Oxgangs Road North and the south of Edinburgh, saw emergency responders confronted with volatile anti-social behaviour, street fires, and pyrotechnic attacks.

What happened during the Bonfire Night disorder in Edinburgh?

Disturbances broke out across several residential neighbourhoods in Edinburgh as groups of young individuals gathered on public thoroughfares. Bins were overturned and ignited in the middle of streets, blocking local traffic and requiring immediate fire crew intervention.

As emergency personnel arrived to secure the scene, individuals within the crowds launched fireworks, glass bottles, and other heavy projectiles directly at police vehicles and first responders.

Specialist public order resources deployed under Police Scotland’s seasonal Operation Moonbeam framework were engaged to disperse crowds and stabilize affected zones. Despite the scale of the hostility, authorities confirmed that no police officers suffered physical injuries during the Edinburgh incidents.

What statements have Police Scotland issued regarding the attacks?

As reported by Danyel Vanreenen of The Independent, Police Scotland confirmed that emergency services were faced with severe disruptions, stating: “The work that our emergency services do this evening is absolutely critical. I absolutely stand behind them in that, and would ask people to please consider their own behaviour, behave in an orderly manner.”

As reported by Jane Hamilton of STV News, Detective Inspector Sophie McWhinnie highlighted the intolerable nature of the violence, stating: “Antisocial behaviour, disorder and targeting officers in this way is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Extensive enquiries are ongoing to identify those responsible and ensure they are brought to justice.”

Detective Inspector McWhinnie further urged members of the public to check their security devices, stating: “We’re appealing for anyone who was in the area who witnessed what happened, or may have mobile phone footage, to get in touch. We’d also urge people to check any private CCTV, ring doorbells or dashcams in case they have captured anything which could be of significance to our investigation.”

As reported by Paul Trainer of Scottish News, Chief Superintendent David Robertson, Gold Commander for Operation Amberlight, reflected on the broader operational picture across the country, stating: “Communities have overwhelmingly showed their commitment to enjoying both Halloween and Bonfire Night in the proper spirit. 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 simply must stop.”

Chief Superintendent Robertson added: “Police officers, ambulance staff and firefighters are there to protect communities – not to be the target of violence. Investigations will now take place to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.”

How are police appealing to the community for evidence?

Detectives leading the investigation have requested anyone who was in the vicinity of Oxgangs Road North or the surrounding south Edinburgh suburbs during the evening of the disorder to review their private footage.

Police Scotland have asked members of the public who hold ring doorbell footage, dashcam recordings, or direct mobile phone video to contact officers immediately via the 101 non-emergency number, referencing incident log 2538. Anonymous information can also be provided through the independent charity Crimestoppers.

Background of Bonfire Night disorder in Scotland

The annual observance of Bonfire Night has historically presented major public safety challenges for Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). Over successive years, specific urban districts in Edinburgh—including Niddrie, Muirhouse, and Oxgangs—have experienced recurring outbreaks of violent anti-social behaviour centered around the misuse of commercial fireworks.

To combat criminal activity associated with 5th November, Police Scotland established Operation Moonbeam in 2018. The dedicated command structure provides public order public safety (POPS) officers, public dispersal powers, and specialized tactical support to units patrolling high-risk zones.

Additionally, the Scottish Government enacted the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022, which granted local authorities the legal power to establish Firework Control Zones (FCZs). Under these regulations, discharging fireworks in designated private and public areas without a professional license carries criminal penalties, aimed at mitigating deliberate attacks on emergency responders and local residents.

Prediction: How this development will affect local communities and emergency services

The ongoing police investigation and public appeal for evidence will have direct consequences for residents living in the affected Edinburgh neighbourhoods, as well as front-line emergency personnel.

Impact on local residents and communities

In the short term, residents in areas affected by the disorder can expect an increased police presence, high-visibility foot patrols, and ongoing door-to-door enquiries as officers collect physical and digital evidence.

The repeated occurrence of fireworks-related disorder is likely to accelerate calls from community councils and local politicians for stricter statutory restrictions. Local authorities may expand designated Firework Control Zones to encompass additional residential areas in future years, restricting private sales and banishing pyrotechnics from residential gardens completely during peak festive periods.

Impact on emergency services and public policy

For Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, the persistence of targeted attacks on personnel will shape future operational planning. Emergency service commanders will likely seek expanded funding for protective equipment, body-worn cameras, and heavier public order vehicle deployments during public holiday periods.

Furthermore, the legal fallout from these investigations could lead to tougher sentencing guidelines for individuals convicted of attacking emergency workers under the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005. Prosecutions stemming from the 2026 investigations will serve as a legal precedent for how local courts treat youth participation in organized public anti-social behaviour.