What's happened
On Bonfire Night, significant disorder erupted in Edinburgh and Glasgow, with police and emergency services targeted by fireworks and projectiles. Despite a reduction in serious incidents compared to last year, police are investigating and making arrests. Community safety measures are under review following the events.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The Scotsman reported on the significant disorder in Edinburgh, noting that police faced attacks with fireworks and projectiles, while Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs emphasized the need for a thorough investigation. The Independent highlighted similar incidents in Greater Manchester, where police were bombarded with fireworks, describing the area as a 'warzone.' Meanwhile, BBC News noted that while serious incidents had decreased, attacks on emergency services were still prevalent, prompting calls for stricter regulations. John Swinney, as reported by The Scotsman, acknowledged the need for ongoing review of safety measures, reflecting a broader concern for community safety amidst these events.
How we got here
Bonfire Night in Scotland has historically seen increased anti-social behavior, prompting police operations like Operation Moonbeam to manage disorder. Recent years have seen calls for stricter firework regulations due to safety concerns.
More on these topics
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Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and one of its 32 council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian, it is located in Lothian on the Firth of Forth's southern shore.
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Police Scotland, legally named the Police Service of Scotland, is the national police force of Scotland. It was formed in 2013 with the merger of eight regional police forces in Scotland, as well as the specialist services of the Scottish Police Services
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Glasgow is the most populous city in Scotland, and the third most populous city in the United Kingdom, as of the 2019 estimated city population of 611,748.
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The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is the national fire and rescue service of Scotland. It was formed by the merger of eight regional fire services in the country on 1 April 2013.
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Peterhead is a town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is Aberdeenshire's biggest settlement, with a population of 18,537 at the 2011 Census.
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Bonfire Night is a name given to various annual events characterised by bonfires and fireworks. The event celebrates different traditions on different dates, depending on the country. Some of the most popular instances include Guy Fawkes Night (5 November