Offenders 'will face justice' warning as firework control zones return

Police Scotland has warned those involved in disorder around Halloween and Bonfire Night will face "very real consequences".

Fireworks Control Zones (FCZs) banning the use of pyrotechnics in certain areas are scheduled to come into force in Edinburgh and Glasgow from 30 October in a bid to contain outbreaks of anti-social behaviour and violence.

Officers said that last year there had been a "reduction" in instances of disorder compared to previous years, when emergency crews were pelted with petrol bombs and missiles.

But they said they would not be complacent and those found to be involved in "unacceptable criminality" would be brought to justice.

Under the restrictions, it is a criminal offence to set off a firework within the FCZ boundary or throw one into a zone.

The FCZs run between 30 October and 8 November in Edinburgh and 9 November in Glasgow.

They form part of Operation Moonbeam, the name given to the Police Scotland response to fireworks-related criminality which is now in its ninth year.

Ch Supt David Robertson, gold commander for Operation Moonbeam, said: "The criminal use of fireworks has very real consequences.

"My message to anyone who thinks violence and disorder are acceptable is clear; if you choose to put the public or emergency services at risk, we will use every resource available to identify you and bring you to justice."

More than 60 officers were injured in disorder across the country in 2023.

In the Niddrie area of Edinburgh, more than 50 youths targeted officers with petrol bombs and fireworks in what police later described as "organised" violence.

Similar incidents were reported in other areas of the city, while fire crews were targeted in Dundee, Glasgow, Blantyre in South Lanarkshire, and Blackburn in West Lothian.

Further instances of anti-social behaviour around Halloween in 2024 saw another officer injured and bus services withdrawn from Niddrie despite police seizing a cache of fireworks and petrol during pre-emptive raids.

A much heavier police presence was deployed in the area last year and officers said emergency calls relating to fireworks offences fell by about 37%.

Ch Supt Robertson said some areas still experienced unacceptable disorder.

He said 24 people had been charged in connection with fireworks-related offences last year.

Dozens more were charged over crimes in previous years, with several convicted.

A separate dispersal zone initiative in Glasgow city centre was extended until the end of the year by Police Scotland last month in response to concerns over a rise in anti-social behaviour.

The force said more than 2,000 dispersal notices had been handed out between March and September.

An additional 14 dispersal zones - which allow officers to ban groups of two or more people from areas for 24 hours - will be in place in Edinburgh over the FCZ period.

There are restrictions on the days where fireworks can be set off.

Community safety minister, Kirsten Oswald, said measures including a ban on the sale and use of "adult" fireworks had been introduced to improve safety around pyrotechnics.

She also said courts would be able to take into account firework-related attacks on emergency workers as an "aggravating factor" in sentencing decisions.

She said it was "really positive" that there had been a reduction in disorder last year.

"It's really important that we have that robust approach and make sure our communities can go about their business safely and ensure our emergency services are kept safe too."