The wail of sirens and the barrage of fireworks pointed at police and the public made for a symphony of public disorder that would leave most residents slack-jawed.
But the Edinburgh community of Niddrie has grown all too used to witnessing scenes like these around bonfire night in recent years.
Instead of anger and frustration, an air of bemusement circulated among the hundreds of locals who had come out to watch the commotion as balaclava-clad youths fired rockets and Roman candles at police vehicles.
After groups of youths set off fireworks that scorched the streets on Halloween, Police Scotland established a significant presence through the week leading up to Guy Fawkes.
In the late afternoon of November 5, officers responded to reports of groups of youths targeting vehicles and passers-by, locking Niddrie down by blocking all routes into the area with police vehicles and diversions.
With Niddrie Mains Road void of vehicles, the main road became ground zero for a standoff between police and a 100-strong group of youths dressed in black, hiding their faces with scarves and balaclavas.
Faced with wave after wave of colourful blasts and a bombardment of screaming rockets, police vehicles backed off slowly and within minutes the disorder subsided and the public dispersed.
Officers later returned in significant numbers to disperse the larger groups into smaller numbers.
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Despite the levelling up of raucous disorder on the streets of Edinburgh this bonfire night, Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs said he believes there’s been “a reduction in serious disorder” and a “significant reduction” in officer injuries” with the force reporting no casualties in the affected communities.
Asked how he perceived the first real test of fireworks bans in place in a number of communities, he said: “I welcome the powers that we’ve been given by the Scottish Government.
“That undoubtedly has helped us be more proactive from Halloween night through to last night, being able to be out every night, target folks and keep the levels lower than we saw last year.
“But we’re not going to fix this problem simply through legislation and the key bit around this is how we support and get positive outcomes for our children and young people in these communities.”
Tim Mairs
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Despite the Assistant Chief Constable’s attempt at a positive outlook, there are many around Edinburgh who will challenge the view that levels of disorder were lower than in 2023.
Blinding flashes could be seen coming from an Edinburgh sweet shop as youths fired rockets in Moredun.
A car dealership in Wester Hailes reported every vehicle in its lot had been smashed and similar incidents were met head-on by police in Glasgow.
Police responded to escalating disorder in the Edinburgh communities of Moredun, Gilmerton and Gracemount, enacting Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, which permits officers to stop and search people and cars without reasonable suspicion.
Scottish politicians were quiet on the issue the following morning, but Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr MSP said: “These appalling scenes are now the shocking norm this time each year.
“There is simply no excuse for our brave police officers and emergency workers being under siege as they try to protect communities from violent thugs and my thoughts are with those who were attacked.”
Thugs launched Roman candles at police
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Police slowly backed off and the thugs dispersed
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The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said they responded to around 1,000 calls on bonfire night, many seeing officers blitzed with rocks and fireworks.
Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton also commented on the violent scenes around the Scottish capital.
Issuing a statement, he said: “Violent and antisocial behaviour has absolutely no place in our communities or in our society.”
“We should not be in a position where people get to November 5 and worry about being terrorised by thugs determined to stir up trouble.
“Sooner or later, someone will die if this is not effectively dealt with.”
Four areas around Edinburgh have been subject to 10-day firework bans, with Glasgow City Council seeking a city-wide ban but failing to file the appropriate paperwork in time.
With perpetrators of Guy Fawkes disorder intent on paying no heed to pyrotechnic bans and the funding for large public displays of yesteryear drying up, there’s a sense of unfairness that the ban effect has been felt most by disappointed households prevented from enjoying intimate back garden displays.
