By Islam El-Sakka
A police vehicle was set on fire and fireworks were launched at officers as Bonfire Night disorder erupted across parts of Scotland on Thursday evening.
Glasgow disorder
Officers were called to reports of an injured man on Greenside Street in the Provanmill area of Glasgow at about 19:55. While attending, police and ambulance crews were targeted with fireworks. Dozens of people watched as a police car was set alight in the middle of a residential street near other vehicles. Emergency services were forced to withdraw from the area. Operation Amberlight specialist resources were deployed and one man was arrested. Inquiries are ongoing and police maintain a presence in the area.
Edinburgh incidents
In Edinburgh, fireworks were thrown at officers in the Oxgangs area. Officers were not injured. There was a large police presence after trouble involving groups of young people was reported. Police Scotland said they received reports of youths creating a blockage on Oxgangs Road North at about 17:30. Fireworks were set off in the direction of officers and several small fires in bins and a park were extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Officers remain in the area and inquiries are ongoing.
Further disorder across Scotland
Fireworks were also thrown at a fire appliance in Knightswood, Glasgow. In Dundee, a public order unit was deployed after more than 100 youths gathered and started a fire on the road, with approximately 50 people launching fireworks. A 15-year-old was taken to hospital in Alexandria after a firework exploded and damaged his eye. Fire crews were also attacked in Castlemilk, Whitburn and Cumnock.
Major police operation
BBC Scotland was given access to the strategic coordination centre at Police Scotland headquarters in Fettes. A wall of CCTV cameras monitored Edinburgh and Glasgow as officers watched for signs of disorder. Teams from Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Scottish Ambulance Service, the Scottish government and Edinburgh city council were in attendance. Officers from forces as far afield as Avon and Somerset, Hampshire, Hertfordshire and South Wales were ready to be deployed under Operation Moonbeam.
Warning from chief constable
Chief Constable Jo Farrell issued a warning to anyone caught up in disorder, stating they would face the full impact of the law, be arrested and face consequences. She said she had no tolerance for that level of violence on the streets of Scotland and that planning for the night was as good as it had ever been.
