By Karim Hammam
Police officers will be embedded in fire stations and travel with crews to protect firefighters from potential attacks during Bonfire Night in Scotland, as part of the country's largest public order operation since the visit of former US President Donald Trump.
Operation Amberlight and mutual aid
The initiative, named Operation Amberlight, will place officers at 10 fire stations across Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire. Up to 1,700 officers could be deployed to handle fireworks-related disorder, a Celtic Europa League match against Besiktas, and potential protests in Glasgow. Additional public order vehicles and drivers are being supplied by 18 English and Welsh forces under mutual aid arrangements.
Fireworks control zones expanded
Since 2024, Fireworks Control Zones (FCZs) have banned pyrotechnics in designated trouble spots, first in Edinburgh and then in Glasgow. The number of zones has increased from 12 to 18 this year. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Commander Mark Cleland said incident statistics show the zones have reduced antisocial behaviour.
Recent disorder and statistics
Last year's Bonfire Night saw 62 officers injured, with the worst violence in Edinburgh's Niddrie area where youths attacked police with fireworks and petrol bombs. The fire service attended more than 250 bonfires and took around 750 calls. Between 31 October and 5 November 2025, police recorded just over 830 calls needing a response, down more than a third from the previous year.
Seizures and serious incidents
On Tuesday police seized 350kg of fireworks worth about £12,000 from a Glasgow address, allegedly sold online with some capable of firing 600 rockets. Recent incidents include a firework landing near a pram in Drumchapel, leaving a child badly shaken, and fireworks thrown in Bonnyrigg high street, leading to two male youths being charged.
Animal welfare concerns
Animal welfare groups highlight the distress fireworks cause to pets and wildlife. Two years ago a three-month-old red panda named Roxie at Edinburgh Zoo likely died from firework-related stress. The zoo now falls within a firework control zone. The Scottish SPCA has called for a UK-wide ban on private firework sales and a 90-decibel noise limit.
