Paramedic injured and police vehicle set alight as crews are hit with fireworks in Bonfire Night disorder
One man has been arrested after mercy crews were hit with fireworks as they tried to reach an injured man
Fireworks were launched at officers and ambulance crews and a police car was set a light as Bonfire Night disorder broke out across Scotland’s biggest cities.
One man was arrested and a paramedic suffered a minor injury after crews were targeted with fireworks as they tried to reach an injured man in Blackhill in Glasgow, Police Scotland has said.
A police vehicle was set alight in the onslaught, at around 8pm.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Both crews were targeted with fireworks resulting in a police vehicle being set alight and seriously damaged. One of the ambulance staff sustained a minor injury.
“Operation Amberlight specialist resources were deployed, and one male has been arrested.
“Inquiries are ongoing and police maintain a presence in the area”
Earlier in the night, in Oxgangs and around Colinton Mains in Edinburgh, bins were knocked over and set on fire in the road.
There was a large police presence in the area, as trouble involving groups of young people was reported.
Locals stated that groups of youths were launching fireworks at emergency services as they attempted to deal with the disorder.
One person, who did not want to be named, said: “They’re setting fire in the park and shooting fireworks at the police and firemen.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 5.30pm on Thursday, November 5 2026, we received a report of a group of youths creating a blockage in the road on Oxgangs Road North, Edinburgh.
“Officers attended and fireworks were set off in their direction, but no injuries have been reported.
“Several small fires in bins and the park were extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
“Officers remain in the area, and inquiries are ongoing to trace those involved.”
In Wester Hailes, the fire service attended a fire in a grass area near houses in Murrayburn Park.
Firefighters were called to the scene of a bonfire shortly after 7pm, with one fire engine called out to extinguish the flames.
In Glasgow videos on social media showed a police vehicle on fire in Riddrie and a number of bonfires were reported across the city, including in Castlemilk and Bridgeton.
As part of its Bonfire Night policing operation, Police Scotland called in assistance from forces in England and Wales, as it mounted the biggest deployment of officers since the visit of US President Donald Trump last year.
Officers from as far afield as Avon and Somerset, Hampshire, Hertfordshire and South Wales were drafted to Scotland.
With the additional police in place, Chief Superintendent David Robertson of Police Scotland the force was prepared.
Speaking on Thursday afternoon, Mr Robertson said he is “confident that we’re ready for whatever may happen this evening”.
“Tonight is about capitalising on the additional capability and capacity we’ve got deployed tonight,” he told officers at a Fettes police station briefing before they deployed.
“We need to respond effectively and we need to make our presence felt when it’s required.”
Mr Robertson said the vast majority of people who are out will likely be enjoying bonfire night peacefully.
“Our job is to protect them from those who may have other intentions,” he said.
“If we do see disorder, my ask of you tonight is really simple: that you respond effectively to help protect the communities that might be affected.”
At the briefing in the Fettes police headquarters in Edinburgh, he asked officers to be proactive, decisive and disciplined.
“If it’s necessary to make arrests, then please do so,” he said.
Mr Robertson added that officers should be “disciplined and decisive at the same time” to bring disorder to a conclusion “quickly, safely and effectively”.
“It is not lost on me the additional training and responsibility you are all voluntarily taking on to go out and protect our communities tonight, and you may face considerable risk in doing so,” he said.
“I am very grateful for your commitment. So, please look after yourselves and each other, and make sure that everyone gets home safely tonight.”
Police Scotland chief constable Jo Farrell also addressed officers at the Edinburgh station before they deployed.
She said she is “absolutely confident” in officers ahead of the evening.
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