Police Scotland has launched its most extensive crackdown yet on Bonfire Night disorder, vowing to deploy record resources and cutting-edge technology to curb violence that has marred the annual celebration in recent years. Operation Moonbeam 2025, officially initiated on October 24, is a direct response to a troubling pattern of anti-social behavior, public disorder, and targeted attacks on emergency services during the fireworks season.
The campaign comes after a particularly chaotic Bonfire Night in 2023, when riots erupted in Edinburgh and other Scottish cities. According to BBC News, more than 60 police officers were injured that year, many after coming under attack with fireworks and petrol bombs. The most serious unrest unfolded in the Niddrie area of Edinburgh, where a group of around 50 youths hurled fireworks and petrol bombs at riot police, leaving officers and firefighters at significant risk.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, Gold Commander for Operation Moonbeam, reflected on the situation: “Over the last couple of years, police officers in particular have been faced with petrol bombs and also with industrial-sized fireworks. When we talk about fireworks we think of pretty things that light up the sky—but these are large, essentially explosives, often being fired horizontally at police officers. The impact of the noise on their hearing, but also the risk of being hit by one of these and being burnt or injured, is really significant.”
Despite a dramatic reduction in serious disorder and officer injuries in 2024, with only one officer hurt compared to 62 the previous year, Mairs cautioned that “unacceptable levels of violence and disorder” persisted in parts of Glasgow and Edinburgh. The operation’s scope has been expanded for 2025, with more resources “than ever before,” including specialist public order officers, body-worn cameras for evidence gathering, and a national rollout of Body Worn Video technology to help identify offenders.
Operation Moonbeam, first launched in 2018 after a spate of violent incidents, has become a cornerstone of Scotland’s approach to Bonfire Night safety. The operation’s annual return is a response to both the reduction in overall fireworks offences and the increased targeting of emergency services. As reported by the Daily Record, Assistant Chief Constable Mairs emphasized, “We will use all available technology, resources and policing tactics at our disposal to keep our people safe while they, in turn, work with other emergency service partners to protect the public from harm.”
The scale of last year’s disorder extended beyond direct attacks on police and firefighters. Rioters targeted public transport and shops, set cars and buildings ablaze, and left communities in a state of fear and alarm. Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Kenny Barbour of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service told BBC Scotland News that his crews were attacked nine times in just eight hours on Bonfire Night 2024 while responding to 370 incidents across the country. “It’s unacceptable. People shouldn’t have to go to their work in an evening and feel under attack. Any damage to equipment or fire appliances simply stops us providing an emergency response and service to those at greatest need within our communities,” Barbour said.
To further deter dangerous behavior, Fireworks Control Zones will be enforced in nine areas of Edinburgh and three in Glasgow from October 27 to November 9, 2025. These zones, which include trouble spots like Niddrie and Pollokshields, make it illegal for the public to set off fireworks within designated boundaries. The measures, first introduced in Edinburgh last year, are now being expanded in response to community concerns and the need to prevent a repeat of past violence.
Local councillor Jon Molyneux, whose ward includes Pollokshields, described the atmosphere during last year’s disturbances: “There were aiming them at each other and at passing cars. So this is definitely a community that feels the concerns around that misuse very acutely.” He added that a major community effort is underway to prevent similar scenes this year, with multiple partners working together for months to put robust plans in place.
The crackdown is not limited to policing and enforcement. The Scottish government and emergency services are collaborating with schools and local organizations to spread safety messages and encourage responsible behavior. Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown has been vocal in urging the public to enjoy Bonfire Night safely. “Most people enjoy Bonfire Night. It’s a great family event with sparklers and fireworks. If anybody wants to have an event in their garden, I would advise them to please do it safely. Look at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website, where we’ve got lots of information. Enjoy it, but be responsible, be safe and please look out for each other,” Brown said, as reported by BBC News.
Brown also highlighted new legal measures introduced to improve firework safety, including a ban on providing fireworks to under-18s and making attacks on emergency workers using fireworks an aggravating factor in sentencing. “Misuse of fireworks puts communities and emergency services at risk and will not be tolerated,” she stated. “While Police Scotland reported a reduction in serious disorder on Bonfire Night last year, the Scottish Government will continue to support the police and courts in taking firm action against those who do break the law.”
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) is playing a key role in the crackdown. Andrew Laing, Deputy Crown Agent for Local Court at COPFS, warned, “Those who carry out reckless and dangerous public offending throughout the period of Bonfire Night can expect to be dealt with rigorously by the justice system. Those deliberately putting other people in danger may be held in custody by the police, remanded by the courts, and expect to receive a custodial sentence at the conclusion of the court case. Anyone seeking to obstruct or attack an emergency worker will be treated with the full force of the law.”
As of 2024, more than 60 people have been reported for fireworks offences over the Bonfire Night period, and authorities promise that this year’s pursuit of offenders will be “equally unrelenting.” The message from officials is clear: those who threaten community safety or attack emergency workers will face justice. The hope is that with robust enforcement, community engagement, and a shared commitment to safety, Bonfire Night 2025 can be enjoyed by all without fear or incident.
With record resources, new technology, and a united front from police, government, and local communities, Scotland is determined to reclaim Bonfire Night as a safe, festive occasion for families—one where the only sparks flying are those lighting up the night sky in celebration.
