Seven arrested in Glasgow after Bonfire Night violence across Scotland

Seven people were arrested in Glasgow after disorder on Bonfire Night, 5 November, across Scotland. Fireworks were aimed at emergency services, and a police vehicle was set alight.

Police Scotland said officers and an ambulance crew went to a report of a man injured in Greenside Street, Glasgow, shortly before 8pm. The force said both teams were attacked with fireworks, and the vehicle was set alight and seriously damaged. An ambulance staff member sustained a minor injury.

The force described the operation as Amberlight and said it sent the largest number of officers to handle disorder since the US president, Donald Trump, visited last year. A spokesperson said specialist resources were deployed, one man was arrested, inquiries continue and officers remain in the area.

Police said attacks also happened in several areas. Fireworks were thrown at the public in Clydebank and at fire crews in the Knightswood and Castlemilk areas of Glasgow, along with Cumnock, Larkhall and Blackridge. Firefighters had to leave while dealing with rubbish fires in Edinburgh, and police faced fireworks in other parts of the city.

The Scottish fire and rescue service took more than 800 calls about fireworks and bonfires between 5.30pm and 11.30pm on 5 November. Police said they received 1,024 fireworks-related calls between Halloween and 5 November, up from 833 in 2025, though they said specialist public order incidents reduced.

Police Scotland also went to the Kirkton area of Dundee after reports of a large group gathering and setting illegal fires. As part of its Bonfire Night policing, the force asked for help from forces in England and Wales, and it sent the largest deployment of officers since Trump's visit to Aberdeenshire in 2025.

Source: The Guardian