Trouble flared across towns and cities on Guy Fawkes Night as fireworks were launched at cars, with a petrol station targeted and vehicles and other shops also falling victim to pyrotechnics.
Police attempted to quell the violence, but large groups of youths continued to terrorise people.
Police Scotland said it had responded to 18 incidents on Tuesday evening as part of Operation Moonbeam, which aimed to deal with Bonfire Night disorder, down from 26 in 2023.
Police officers in riot gear were injured during the rioting, but the number was down on the 62 hurt last year.
Assistant Chief Constable of Police Scotland Tim Mairs said: “It was very encouraging to see a reduction on the night in the level of significant disorder and a dramatic fall in the number of officers who were injured.”
However, he added it was “still a very challenging evening” with “some significant disorder in a number of areas of Edinburgh and also in Glasgow. I think the underlying issue was people who felt they have the right to not just attack the police, but sadly we also had some attacks on the fire services.
“These incidents have left communities alarmed and the public, police officers and other emergency service workers in danger.
“This is unacceptable behaviour and the focus for me is now on a very significant investigative approach. We will be looking at all the footage we captured last night and we will be making follow-up arrests in the coming days and weeks.”
The Fire Service said there were three attacks on their personnel in Clydebank. Initial figures suggest that crews responded to approximately 347 bonfires and 598 incidents across the country between 3.30pm and 11.30pm on November 5.
The Scottish Tories condemned the scenes as “appalling” and highlighted that they are now “the shocking norm this time each year.”
Shadow Justice Secretary Liam Kerr added: “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.
“Those thugs have been emboldened by the SNP’s soft-touch justice system and know that they will not be properly punished for these crimes. Criminals know they can take advantage as police have been pushed to breaking point by the SNP’s savage and sustained cuts to policing budgets.
The party has called on the maximum length of sentences for people who attack emergency services to be doubled from two years to four years. Over 1,000 calls were made to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) from the public during an eight-hour period on Bonfire Night – with six reported attacks on fire crews within three hours.
Responding to the news that firefighters responded to more than 1,000 calls on Bonfire Night with crews ‘bombarded’ by missiles and fireworks, while police officers were attacked with fireworks, bricks and bottles, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said: “We should not be in a position where people get to the 5th of November 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.
“Violent and antisocial behaviour has absolutely no place in our communities or in our society. Much more needs to be done to crack down on it, which is why I will be meeting with the First Minister in the coming weeks to discuss how we tackle it.
“It is essential that the Scottish Government works closely with the police and local councils to make public safety a number one priority. Ministers must also give our brave first responders the resources and support they need so that they can respond to incidents effectively.”
- Meanwhile, more than 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for West Dunbartonshire Council to introduce low noise firework displays.