POLICE are on the hunt for rampaging firework gangs following shameful Bonfire Night scenes across Scotland.
Violence erupted unfolded in Edinburgh and Glasgow last night as yobs hurled fireworks and bricks at cops, and torched motors on streets.
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And during one incident, cops were forced to lock down an area near a petrol station on Edinburgh‘s Calder Road.
Cars were targeted with fireworks and a fire was started just yards from the forecourt.
Glass bottles, bricks and fireworks were also launched at officers and police vehicles on the scene.
Firefighters said they responded to over 1,000 Bonfire Night calls across the country.
The fire service added that there were six incidents where crews were attacked.
Three happened in Clydebank, two in Edinburgh and one in Blackridge in West Lothian.
Edinburgh cops responded to various incidents of youth disorder in Niddrie, Sighthill and Moredun.
Police confirmed that there are no injuries to emergency service workers or members of the public were reported.
Various parts of Glasgow also experienced pockets of disorder, with youths throwing fireworks at locals, vehicles and police officers.
Police swarmed the Pollokshields area of the city as youths aimed fireworks at motors and torched a car.
However, no injuries were reported.
In Peterhead a pyrotechnic device was set off at a skate park in Aalesund Road at around 9.20pm.
Those responsible then made off in a van before striking a 33-year-old male pedestrian and fleeing the scene.
He was treated by paramedics at the scene but did not require further medical attention.
Inquiries to identify the suspects are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to come forward.
Last year, during the Operation Moonbeam deployment for October and November 2023, a total of 62 officers were hurt after being targeted with fireworks and other projectiles.
Specialist resources were deployed on 26 separate occasions during the evening of 5 November last year, compared to this year when 18 deployments were required during the same period.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, Gold Commander for Operation Moonbeam said: “I firstly want to recognise the outstanding courage and professionalism of all of those emergency service workers who put themselves in harm’s way to keep communities safe.
“Their actions ensured that some of the challenging scenes we witnessed this year did not escalate into mass disorder, on the scale of what we experienced last year.
“Nevertheless, the levels of violence and aggression police officers, fire service and ambulance service personnel faced in some areas was wholly unacceptable and a significant investigative response is now underway to identify each and every one of those involved and bring them to justice.
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“In advance of Bonfire Night 2024, local policing teams across Scotland have worked diligently with local authority and third sector partners to make positive in-roads with communities and identify some of the root causes that lead to disorder. In addition, this engagement has resulted in an increase in the intelligence we have received from the public, allowing us to take preventative enforcement action before crimes could occur.
“Throughout Operation Moonbeam, we have utilised all legislation and policing powers at our disposal and we will continue our discussions with local authorities and Scottish Government to explore further opportunities for reducing fireworks offences for next year and moving forward.”
