by Democrat reporter
A new film highlighting the significant impact of violence and disorder involving fireworks on communities, services and emergency workers has today been shared by Police Scotland.
The film features interviews with a mother, whose son was injured, a bus driver whose bus was struck by a brick, a police officer who underlines the impact of blue light-personnel and a community representative who calls on people to take pride in their local area.
Police Scotland and Places for People, a social enterprise organisation, contributed to the package as part of work to reduce disorder and criminality over the Bonfire Nigh period.
In 2024, despite a positive reduction in serious disorder offences, police officers, firefighters, bus drivers, and local communities were subject to unacceptable levels of violence between 31 October and 5 November.
As a result of the criminal investigations that followed, 61 people were charged with fireworks-related criminality across Scotland.
Inspector Scott Casey, an experienced Public Order Officer, discusses how he and his colleagues came under attack during the disorder that took place in 2023 and the feeling of being struck with fireworks, as well as seeing members of his team sustain injury.
Bus driver Tony Beecher recounts a terrifying experience where his bus, which had several passengers onboard, was targeted with a brick and warned of the serious consequences that could arise if a bus was to crash after being struck.
Over the last few years, many areas have experienced significant and unacceptable levels of disorder, resulting in damage to public property and causing fear and alarm to local residents and businesses.
Cheryl Neil, Places For People’s Community Safety Area Manager for Scotland gives an overview of how those living within this region have suffered greatly and urged people to take pride in their community and help prevent it being the scene of mass disorder this year.
The video also includes a harrowing interview with Catherine, whose 11-year-old son sustained third-degree burns to his legs after he and some friends started a fire for a social media stunt.
Catherine recalls the anguish of seeing her child in extreme pain after sustaining the injuries and calls on all parents to talk to their own kids about the dangers associated with starting fires.
The full video can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/OyGxqYOKp4A
Meanwhile, Police have seized tonnes of fireworks intended for use in disorder offences.
A tonne of fireworks worth around £42,000 was recovered and a man was ahead of the Bonfire Night period.
The items, which have an explosive content of 163kg, were discovered in a van in Rosyth, Fife, following an intelligence led recovery by detectives in Edinburgh investigating planned disorder within the Capital as part of Operation Crackle.
A 24-year-old man has been arrested and will appear in court at a later date and has been placed under curfew during the period of 31 October to 6 November.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs said: “This is a significant recovery of fireworks ahead of the Bonfire Night period, as our intelligence suggests these were set to be distributed to individuals across Edinburgh the purpose of causing violence and disorder.
“Seizing these items means that we have effectively taken more than a tonne of potentially dangerous weapons out of the hands of those who wish to cause fear and alarm within our communities and carry out attacks on emergency services, buses and members of the public.
“We will continue to gather intelligence and evidence against anyone who wishes to jeopardise the safety and wellbeing of people and ensure they are brought to justice.”
Last week, Police Scotland launched Operation Moonbeam, its annual public order response to violence and disorder over the Bonfire Night period.
More than 60 people have been reported for their involvement in fireworks offences over the Bonfire Night period for 2024 and Police Scotland is dedicating more resource than ever before to tackle crimes involving fireworks.
This year, many officers, will be equipped with Body Worn Video cameras during the Bonfire Night period.
If you have information that can help prevent Bonfire Night disorder, please contact Police Scotland via 101 or make an anonymous report to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.