As Bonfire Night approaches, communities across the United Kingdom are once again preparing for the annual spectacle of flames and fireworks. Yet, beneath the excitement and tradition, this year’s celebrations are marked by heightened concerns over safety, public order, and the welfare of both people and animals. From the sprawling hills of Penrhys in Rhondda Cynon Taf to the bustling streets of Glasgow and Edinburgh, local authorities, emergency services, and residents are grappling with the challenges that come with November’s fiery festivities.
In Penrhys, a housing estate nestled in the heart of Rhondda Cynon Taf, the spirit of community is on full display—quite literally. According to BBC Wales, a massive bonfire, estimated at a towering 20 feet high and stretching 80 feet across, has taken shape on a grassy expanse among residential homes. The pile, assembled over weeks by local residents, contains everything from wooden doors and mattresses to an old sofa. For many, including 18-year-old Taz Rees, the effort has been both exhausting and rewarding. "We have to get up very early and we are working through the whole day to get to what we have here now," Rees explained, highlighting the dedication that goes into creating the event.
The bonfire is more than just a pile of combustibles; it’s a focal point for the community. Last year, around 1,500 people attended, and organizers expect even more this time around. "Loads of people come up here and enjoy themselves, we do it for the community. It gives the children some joy," Rees added. Neil Thomas, a local resident and community worker, echoed these sentiments, noting that consolidating the bonfires into a single, supervised event has been a boon for the area. "There's always been bonfires up here but it was a good idea bring it into one area and make it a community event. Since they've been doing that it's been brilliant—it brings people together," Thomas told BBC Wales.
However, not everyone shares the same enthusiasm. Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has voiced serious concerns about the safety of unofficial bonfires. A spokesperson for the council warned, "What might seem like fun can quickly turn into a seriously dangerous situation and anyone attending these events do so at their own risk. Over the years we have uncovered many dangerous items in unofficial bonfires, including tyres, mattresses and sofas, which produce toxic fumes, and even half-filled gas cannisters which pose a risk of explosion." The landowner, housing association Trivallis, confirmed that it has alerted the relevant agencies to ensure proper monitoring of the event.
While Penrhys prepares for its community gathering, Scotland is bracing for a very different Bonfire Night experience. According to BBC News, a major police operation—dubbed Operation Moonbeam—is underway to address potential disorder in known trouble spots across Edinburgh and Glasgow. The operation comes after several years of escalating incidents, including last year’s violence in Edinburgh’s Niddrie district, where police officers were injured and public transport was disrupted.
Firework Control Zones (FCZs) are now active in parts of both cities, empowering police to use stop and search powers and enforce dispersal zones. In West Lothian, some bus services were suspended in Blackburn due to antisocial behaviour, though, as of publication, there have been no reports of serious disorder. Police Scotland has made it clear that it is prepared to enforce dispersal zones, which allow officers to direct anyone causing—or likely to cause—alarm or distress to leave the area for up to 24 hours. Those who fail to comply may face arrest.
Glasgow saw officers respond to a disturbance near the Govanhill exclusion zone, where a group outside a house party set off a significant number of fireworks over houses and a nearby school. Two police vans arrived at the scene, but no arrests were made. Meanwhile, in Edinburgh’s Niddrie area, a heavy police presence—including a force helicopter—monitored the streets. Though smaller groups were observed, the scale of disorder was reportedly less than in previous years.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is also on high alert, expecting to receive around 1,000 calls on Bonfire Night alone. SFRS head of operations Garry Mackay issued a heartfelt plea for public cooperation, stating, "They are fathers, mothers, daughters and sons, they should not be subjected to anything like that at their work. But, on top of that, they are primarily there for public safety and any attack hinders their abilities to do their job and keep communities in Scotland safe." The service has adopted a zero-tolerance approach to disorder, aiming to protect both crews and the public.
Authorities have already seized more than a tonne of fireworks from a van in Rosyth, Fife, and conducted additional raids in Fife and West Lothian. Under new regulations, setting off fireworks within an FCZ or throwing one into a restricted zone is now a criminal offense, carrying penalties of up to six months in prison and fines of £5,000. Dispersal zones are active in nine areas of Edinburgh until November 9 and three areas of Glasgow—Pollokshields, Govanhill, and Broomhouse—until November 10. Local councillor Jon Molyneux from Pollokshields remarked, "It's not stopped people letting off fireworks entirely… but generally it feels like it has been helpful."
Yet, the introduction of the FCZs has not been without controversy. Some residents have raised concerns about the boundaries, which in certain cases split streets in half, leading to confusion and enforcement challenges. Glasgow City Council had planned to expand exclusion areas this year, but a missed paperwork deadline meant the ban could not proceed in several neighborhoods.
Beyond the immediate risks to people and property, animal welfare groups have sounded alarms about the impact of fireworks on pets and wildlife. The Scottish SPCA urged pet owners to be mindful of the "frightening effect" fireworks can have, recommending that dogs be kept indoors and that small animals such as rabbits are sheltered during displays. The Forvie Nature Reserve in Aberdeenshire issued a caution against fireworks near Newburgh Beach, where a previous incident led to the abandonment of a seal pup.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has gone further, calling for a national ban on the public sale of fireworks after the tragic death of a three-month-old red panda kit, Roxie, at their zoo last year. RZSS deputy chief executive Ben Supple stated, "While the new exclusion zone is a very positive step, loud and unpredictable fireworks continue to cause real distress for animals and people across Scotland. Roxie's death was a tragic reminder of how dangerous this issue can be. We hope everyone will think carefully about the impact of fireworks and support our call for a national ban on their public sale."
This year also marks a technological step forward for Police Scotland, as officers are equipped for the first time with body-worn video cameras during the Bonfire Night period. The hope is that the cameras will improve accountability and provide valuable evidence in the event of disorder.
As communities from Wales to Scotland gather around bonfires and marvel at fireworks, the balancing act between tradition and safety has never been more delicate. With new regulations, vigilant emergency services, and a growing awareness of the broader impacts of the festivities, Bonfire Night 2025 stands as a testament to both the enduring spirit and the evolving challenges of this centuries-old celebration.
