Bonfire Night: Fire crews attacked five time amid 1025 calls

The incident in Edinburgh's Sighthill saw both the officers taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where one was treated for a head injury and the other needed treatment for glass in their eye.

On one of the busiest nights for the emergency force, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) received 1,025 calls over just eight hours. 

Meanwhile, Police Scotland confirmed 12 arrests were made over the night after it received 483 calls in connection to firework offences.

Alongside the arrests, a further 15 people were dispersed from dispersal zones and further inquiries are ongoing to identify more suspects.

The most bonfires attended by the SFRS were under their West Service Delivery Area. 

More than 240 bonfires were attended in this area, while in the East firefighters were called out to 89 bonfires. 

READ MORE: Scots urged to attend organised events

In the North of Scotland, the force attended 25 bonfires.  

Assistant Chief Officer David Farries said the SFRS was "disappointed" by the attacks on firefighters and labelled this behaviour "unacceptable". 

However, there have been no injuries reported at this time.

The officer said: "It’s been another busy and challenging evening for our crews and Operations Control staff around Scotland and I thank them for their dedication.

“We are disappointed to report five attacks on our firefighters. In the run up to Bonfire Night, we had spoken out about this kind of unacceptable behaviour by a small minority which sadly happens year after year.

"Our staff should be able to carry out their role without being attacked and it is disappointing that people have tried to hurt firefighters and have damaged our appliances and equipment."

Of the five attacks on fire crews over the night, three took place under the West headquarters and two took place in the East. 

Speaking on the attacks on firefighters, Scottish Conservative shadow community safety minister Russell Findlay said: “The parliament’s justice committee heard recent evidence that existing laws are not being used effectively to deal with thugs who attack blue light workers with fireworks.

“It’s inevitable that where there is no meaningful deterrent, these disgusting and dangerous incidents will continue.

“Our firefighters, along with other frontline colleagues, deserve and expect the full protection of the law.”

The majority of the incidents dealt with by the police force took place in Edinburgh. 

However, in Clydebank, near Glasgow, firefighters were attacked by 20 youths using fireworks during a callout to an illegal fire in the town’s Langside Street.

One police vehicle sustained very minor damage and one male was arrested on suspicion of assault and culpable and reckless conduct.

Members of the public, as well as emergency workers, were targeted by youths carrying fireworks. 

In Edinburgh, approximately 100 youths threw fireworks at the public and vehicles just before 7pm on Marischal Road, Edinburgh.

Police teams were also targeted, while a fire engine in attendance sustained a smashed window – however, there were no injuries.

Officers on patrol were attacked in the city’s Ferry Road Drive at around 7.35pm as a number of individuals threw bricks at their vehicle.

And in the city’s Drylaw area, the fire service was initially attacked with fireworks while attempting to extinguish a wheelie bin fire, and was forced to withdraw at around 9pm-10pm.

The figures only account for the hours between 3.30pm and 11.30pm. 

Mr Farries added: “Crews only attend bonfire-related incidents when people contact us about concerns over public safety and we extinguish fires that are unsafe.

“We put a huge amount of planning and preparation into this evening with local partners and other emergency services as we work together to protect communities, which is always our top priority.”

Significant disruption was also reported in the city’s Niddrie area, when a police officer sustained a minor cut to their lip following a car window being smashed.

Residents were warned to stay in their homes as a gang of youths reportedly set fireworks off along the ground.

Police were also subjected to petrol bombs within the capital’s Duddingston area. No injuries were reported.

And outside the OVO Hydro in Glasgow, a male threw a flare into a crowd of people. He was detained by security staff and two people were subsequently arrested.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, gold commander for Operation Moonbeam – the effort to curb Bonfire Night disorder – said: “Our initial analysis of the incidents arising on Bonfire Night show that, for the overwhelming majority of the country, people enjoyed the occasion safely and responsibly.

“However, in some areas, particularly Edinburgh, various individuals have shown blatant disregard for the safety of the public and the emergency services and have actively targeted police officers and firefighters during the course of their duties.

“This behaviour is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. I want to make it abundantly clear that a considerable follow-up inquiry will be conducted in relation to all of these incidents, utilising all resources at our disposal to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.

“Do not think that just because you evaded police on the night that we won’t be knocking on your door in the near future.”

He added: “What the events of last night demonstrate to me is the importance of having a robust frontline policing service that can be readily supported by national and specialist colleagues when required.

“Similarly, working in partnership with other emergency colleagues and local authorities is equally important to ensuring we are deploying the correct level of resource to the right areas at the right time.

“All of those who were on duty during Bonfire Night showed exceptional professionalism and dedication to protecting communities from harm during extremely difficult and challenging circumstances. I am grateful for all of their efforts.”

Assistant chief officer David Farries, director of services for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Our staff should be able to carry out their role without being attacked and it is disappointing that people have tried to hurt firefighters and have damaged our appliances and equipment.”