The short version
- Police are embedding officers within fire stations in Glasgow and nearby regions to protect crews from potential attacks during Bonfire Night celebrations.
- The security operation involves up to 1,700 officers and mutual aid support from English and Welsh forces, marking the largest deployment since last year's presidential visit.
- Fireworks control zones have expanded to eighteen areas this year, contributing to a significant drop in emergency calls compared to previous years despite isolated serious incidents.
Scottish authorities are implementing a major escalation in public order strategy for Bonfire Night, embedding police officers directly within fire stations to safeguard emergency responders. This initiative, designated as Operation Amberlight, represents a structural shift in how law enforcement and fire services coordinate during periods of heightened civil unrest. The move is designed to provide immediate protection for firefighters who have increasingly become targets of violence while responding to calls involving pyrotechnics.
The deployment is part of a broader security framework that could involve as many as 1,700 officers across Scotland. This scale of mobilization marks the largest police operation in the country since the visit of former U.S. President Donald Trump last year. To manage the anticipated surge in disorder, additional public order vehicles and personnel are being imported from eighteen police forces in England and Wales through mutual aid agreements. The combined effort aims to address a complex mix of risks, including fireworks-related incidents, potential protests in Glasgow, and security requirements for a European football match involving Celtic.
The decision to integrate police into fire stations stems from a growing trend of anti-social behavior targeting emergency workers. In recent years, firefighters have faced attacks while attending bonfires and other incidents linked to unauthorized fireworks use. Superintendant Ross Aitken emphasized that the embedded officers are intended to support fire service colleagues should they come under attack, ensuring a more efficient response to any emerging threats. The strategy acknowledges that while most citizens celebrate responsibly, a small minority engages in criminal activity that endangers public safety personnel.
Operation Moonbeam, the annual public order initiative covering Halloween and Bonfire Night, is now in its ninth year. The operation has expanded significantly in scope, particularly following a severe upsurge in disorder in 2023. That year saw sixty-two officers injured during violent clashes, with the worst incidents occurring in Edinburgh’s Niddrie area. Groups of youths attacked police with fireworks, petrol bombs, and other projectiles. Similar patterns of violence have been recorded in Glasgow and Dundee, prompting authorities to adopt more robust protective measures for all emergency services.
Regulatory changes have also played a role in shaping the current security landscape. Since 2024, Fireworks Control Zones have been established in areas known for trouble, initially in Edinburgh and later expanded to Glasgow. These zones make it a criminal offense to set off fireworks within their boundaries or throw them into restricted areas. Commander Mark Cleland of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service noted that incident statistics suggest these zones have been effective. The number of control zones has increased from twelve to eighteen this year, with hopes that this expansion will further reduce anti-social behavior.
Data from previous years indicates a positive trend in reducing emergency call volumes. Last year, police reported just over 830 calls requiring local or specialist response between October 31 and November 5, a figure that was more than a third lower than the previous year. The fire service attended more than 250 bonfires and handled approximately 750 calls on Bonfire Night itself. This year, early indicators show a modest decrease in fireworks-related police calls on Halloween, with 144 reports compared to 160 in 2025. However, the nature of some incidents remains serious, including an event in Glasgow where a firework landed near a pram, leaving a child distressed.
Despite the overall reduction in call volumes, isolated incidents of significant danger continue to occur. In Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, reports emerged of fireworks being thrown into a high street, posing risks to pedestrians and property. Police also conducted raids targeting illegal sales, seizing 350 kilograms of fireworks worth approximately £12,000 from an address in Glasgow’s Penilee area. Authorities stated that these items were being sold online and included devices capable of firing hundreds of rockets, highlighting the ongoing challenge of regulating powerful pyrotechnics.
The broader context of Bonfire Night celebrations in Scotland has shifted over recent decades. Many large council-run events have disappeared due to rising costs associated with insurance, security, and stewarding, as well as the logistical complexities of organizing large public gatherings. Glasgow has not held a display at Glasgow Green since 2019, prior to the pandemic, while Edinburgh’s Meadowbank Stadium event was last held in 2017. While municipal displays have dwindled, many private venues and clubs continue to host organized fireworks shows, which emergency services advocate as the safest way for the public to enjoy the festivities.
As Bonfire Night approaches, authorities are balancing the need for robust security with the desire to maintain normalcy for the majority of residents. The embedded police presence in fire stations is a precautionary measure aimed at deterring attacks and ensuring that emergency crews can return home safely. Officials stress that the vast majority of the public acts responsibly, but the targeted response is necessary to address the specific threats posed by those intent on causing disorder. The coming days will test the effectiveness of this integrated approach in managing the unique combination of safety concerns associated with the holiday.
Sources behind this briefing
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- BBC News↗Police to escort fire crews in latest crackdown on Bonfire Night disorder
