Swinney accused of 'insulting' emergency workers after playing down Bonfire Night mayhem

John Swinney was yesterday accused of ‘insulting’ emergency workers and communities after a ‘desperate bid to downplay’ another Bonfire Night of chaos and violence.

Terrified residents in areas of Edinburgh and Glasgow were forced into hiding as masked yobs threw fireworks, bottles and bricks.

The chaotic scenes, which have become an annual event in parts of the country, saw the riot police battling to restore order become the main targets of the bombardment.

But firefighters, ambulance crews and even members of the public came under attack on Tuesday night.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs has condemned the scenes, and said it was ‘unacceptable that people feel intimidated and threatened in their own communities.’

Thugs terrorised communities across Scotland by setting off fireworks

But, as communities and businesses cleared up after another anarchic Bonfire Night, the First Minister said it was ‘important to recognise the assessment’ of police which said incidents were of a ‘lesser degree of significance than they have been previously’.

He added: ‘I think the fact that we’ve had a lower incidence of events as a consequence of fireworks gives me encouragement that the steps that we are taking are having an effect.

‘But the Government will always be mindful of ensuring that all possible steps are in place to protect communities and our emergency services.’

His response was greeted with anger by opposition politicians.

Niddrie in Edinburgh was blighted by firework mayhem during Bonfire Night

Sharon Dowey, community safety spokesman at the Scottish Conservatives, said: ‘John Swinney’s desperate bid to downplay the scenes of violence across Scotland is insulting to the emergency workers and communities targeted by firework-wielding louts.

‘The First Minister’s complacent patting himself on the back shows how out of touch he is with the reality faced by police and firefighters.

‘The SNP’s fireworks laws have failed to work as a deterrent to such violence.

‘Rather than ignoring the problem year on year, the SNP must apply a zero-tolerance approach to this unacceptable behaviour.’

Police Scotland claimed its Operation Moonbeam was a success.

ACC Mairs, gold commander of the anti-firework-related disorder operation, said: ‘The policing operation was designed to protect the public, officers and colleagues in the emergency services, and we succeeded in that.

‘But, if I was a member of the community experiencing what folks in Edinburgh and parts of Glasgow experienced on Tuesday night, I would still be really concerned and nervous, and it’s my job to provide them with that reassurance and we will be back out in the streets doing that.’

Police stop and search a youth in Niddrie, Edinburgh during a night of chaos

Riot police were called to the worst incidents of firework mayhem across Scotland

Over eight hours on Tuesday the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service control rooms were inundated with calls, with more than 1,000 reaching handlers.

They responded to 347 bonfires and 598 incidents across Scotland between 3.30pm and 11.30pm.

Six crews were attacked within just three hours but there were no injuries.

Police Scotland said the number of incidents of serious disorder fell this year, with Moonbeam officers having been deployed 18 times on Tuesday compared to 26 times in 2023 on Bonfire Night.

And, unlike last year when 62 officers were injured over the Halloween and Bonfire Night periods, the number hurt was significantly down with just one officer reporting an injury.

There were pockets of disorder in Glasgow, with youths throwing fireworks at members of the public, vehicles and officers.

Footage of disorder was shared on social media

In Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, a pyrotechnic device was lit within a skate park, and as those responsible made off in a van they hit a 33-year-old man and fled the scene.

But it was Edinburgh which saw the most significant disorder, with clashes in Niddrie, Sighthill and Moredun.

In Sighthill, Calder Road was closed after youths lit a fire in the road just yards a petrol station.

Significant damage was caused to vehicles at the nearby Macklin Motors dealership, with several windscreens smashed by the yobs.

In Niddrie riot officers faced down youths, footage of which was broadcast live on social media by residents who took to the streets to watch on.

A police helicopter was hovering over the estate for hours, and at points fireworks were fired in its direction.

Just days before the estate had seen Halloween clashes. One officer was injured after a brick was thrown through the window of her police vehicle.

One person has been arrested and charged in connection with that incident.

Cammy Day, leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: ‘I am today repeating my calls for a complete ban on the public sale of fireworks and stronger penalties for those who inflict fear and alarm in our communities.

‘There has to be consequences for behaving like this and I will be writing to the Lord Advocate and both the UK and Scottish Governments to call for urgent change.’

Siobhian Brown, community safety minister, said: ‘I understand why there are a calls for a fireworks ban, and although this is a reserved matter and not currently within the Scottish Government’s powers, I have written to the UK Government asking for a meeting to discuss what more can be done on fireworks regulations.’