By Salma El-Sakka
Police Scotland is preparing its largest deployment since President Donald Trump’s visit last year for Bonfire Night on 5 November, with up to 1,700 officers mobilised to tackle fireworks-related disorder, a European football match and potential protests in Glasgow.
Operation Amberlight Details
The force has named the plan Operation Amberlight. Additional public order vehicles and drivers are being supplied by 18 English and Welsh forces under mutual aid arrangements. The operation builds on the annual Operation Moonbeam, now in its ninth year, which provides specialist support to local divisions for fireworks-linked criminality.
Additional Challenges: Football Match and Protests
This year’s Bonfire Night coincides with a UEFA Europa League match between Celtic and Turkish side Besiktas at Celtic Park. Police are also monitoring online images suggesting planned protest activity in Glasgow on the same night. A single overarching policing operation will coordinate the response.
Fireworks Control Zones
Fireworks Control Zones (FCZs) banning pyrotechnics in designated areas of Edinburgh and Glasgow take effect from 30 October. It becomes a criminal offence to set off or throw a firework within the zone boundaries. The zones run until 8 November in Edinburgh and 9 November in Glasgow.
Previous Disorder and Costs
In 2023, more than 60 officers were injured during Bonfire Night disorder, with petrol bombs and fireworks targeting police and fire crews in several cities. Last year’s Halloween saw further anti-social behaviour despite pre-emptive raids. The 2025 Trump visit operation, Operation Roll 2, cost £21 million and involved 7,340 officers.
