Major police operation at Bonfire Night riot sites

Firework Control Zones (FCZs) are active in parts of Edinburgh and Glasgow, and officers are exercising stop and search powers in both cities as part of Operation Moonbeam.

In West Lothian, some bus services were suspended in Blackburn due to antisocial behavior, but no serious disturbances have yet been reported.

Police Scotland said it is prepared to implement "separation zones" in some areas where crowds may gather.

In Glasgow, officers responded to a disturbance on a street near the Govanhill exclusion zone.

A group of people outside a house party set off a large number of fireworks at homes and a nearby school.

Two vans full of officers descended on the house, but no arrests were made.

A heavy police presence also remained in the Niddry area of ​​Edinburgh, where serious disturbances occurred two years ago.

A police helicopter was also deployed to the area, and footage showed small groups of people on the streets, but not as large as in previous years.

Earlier, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) had warned that it would adopt a "zero tolerance" approach to disorder when responding to incidents on Bonfire Night.

SFRS said it expected around 1,000 calls on Wednesday alone.

However, as of 22:20, the fire service said it had received no reports of any antisocial behavior against staff.

Earlier, Operations Chief Gary Mackay had said that firefighters should not be put at risk while performing their duties.

Mr. Mackay said: "They are fathers, mothers, daughters, and sons; they should not have to face anything like this on their work," he added.

"But, beyond that, they are primarily there to protect the public, and any attack hinders their ability to do their work and keep communities in Scotland safe."

Last month, police officers seized over a ton of fireworks found in a van in Rosyth, Fife.

Since the end of October, there have been minor attacks involving fireworks on both police and firefighters in Glasgow and Ayrshire.

In one incident, a fire engine was briefly taken out of service. Police have seized varying quantities of fireworks across Scotland, with large quantities seized during raids in Fife and West Lothian.

Following a major riot in Kirkton, Dundee, local authorities were given the power to implement temporary measures until 2022.

Under these restrictions, it is a criminal offense to burst or throw fireworks in a specific area within the FCZ boundary.

Organized and licensed fireworks displays are not covered by these regulations, and personal use of fireworks is also permitted.

Violators of these restrictions face up to six months in prison and a fine of up to £5,000.

Dispersal zones give police the power to order anyone who is causing, or is likely to cause, fear or distress to leave the area for 24 hours.

Failure to comply with these orders could result in arrest.

These control zones will be in effect until November 9 in nine areas of Edinburgh and until November 10 in three areas of Glasgow – Pollokshields, Govanhill, and Broomhouse.

Last year, fireworks were thrown at cars and homes in Pollokshields.

Glasgow City Council had planned to implement these prohibited zones in 2024, but missed a paperwork deadline, preventing the ban from going ahead.

Although restrictions are in place in three areas of the city this year, control zone applications were rejected for Woodlands Park, Gartcraig, Crossmyloof, Robroyston, Drumchapel, Ibrox, Yoker, and North Kelvin.

Pollokshields local councillor John Molyneux said the area has been more peaceful so far than in previous years.

"It hasn't completely stopped people from lighting fireworks... but overall it has helped," he said.