Firework chaos and violence in Glasgow to be curbed in Bonfire Night crackdown

Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), Crimestoppers and Glasgow City Council have united in an operation to safeguard communities on November 5. 

The protocol – named Operation Moonbeam – will target “hotspot” areas that have previous links to disorder while potentially flammable materials will be cleared from the city’s streets. 

Superintendent Ross Allan

Superintendent Ross Allan said: “Operation Moonbeam is a supplementary resource for divisional plans that will happen locally and will enable specialist resources to be located and deployed to where they may be most needed.

“Road policing officers, public order officers, supplementary and community officers will be attached to this large-scale plan.”

With the city’s annual fireworks display at Glasgow Green cancelled due to COP26, fire chiefs are anticipating more callouts than ever before. 

Crews have been visiting schools in Glasgow to engage with youths about the Firework Code in a bid to increase child safety in public spaces.

Area Commander Roddy Keith

Roddy Keith, Area Commander for Glasgow, said: “November 5 is normally the busiest day of the year for us, as has been for many years. This year, because of the absence of organised displays, we are anticipating more activity than usual.

“We had a very busy year last year. We are aware that our normal messaging would be to consider going to an organised display rather than having a fireworks display at home.

“If you are considering that, please do it as safely as possible. There is a lot of information on our website about the Firework Code.”

The service has reassured that it is equipped for a busy evening ahead on November 5 with crews on standby in the city’s surrounding areas.

Keith added: “The fire service is very resilient – we work through a network in Glasgow, the West of Scotland and the rest of Scotland. We will be fully staffed across the country on Bonfire Night.

"We don’t have additional staff on, but we will have the resilience of neighbouring areas and we will have support from crews outside of Glasgow if it is required on the night.”

Operation Moonbeam comes after police officers and firefighters were subjected to violent “pre-planned” attacks on Guy Fawkes Night last year.

Multiple investigations were launched after the emergency employees were called to a spate of anti-social incidents across Glasgow.  

In an effort to curb such attacks from happening again, Crimestoppers is asking local communities for information in the weeks before November 5. 

Angela Parker, who is the charity’s national campaign manager, said: “This year we are focusing on areas where there is a high level of fireworks misuse in Scotland. These include North Glasgow, the Gorbals and Pollokshields.

“We have equipped a lot of these areas with posters, leaflets and banners but really, we are wanting intelligence.

“We’re looking for information from anyone that knows about planned attacks on crews or information about anyone who is planning large-scale fireworks misuse or deliberate fire setting. 

“High-level firework misuse starts way before Bonfire Night and continues after it. 

“If you know or suspect anyone that may be involved in this kind of behaviour, please contact us where your anonymity will be maintained.”

Meanwhile, both police and SFRS have warned any violence towards their staff on Guy Fawkes Night will not be maintained. 

Allan said: “My message is clear that violence and disorder of any nature will not be tolerated on or around Bonfire Night and targeting emergency services with fireworks and violence won’t be stood for. Nobody should come to their work to be threatened or become a victim of violence.

“They will respond robustly and appropriately to any acts of violence towards our officers and any of our partners.”

Keith added: “Fire and police services are only there on November 5 to keep our communities as safe as possible. 

“It doesn’t matter if you are a police officer or a firefighter, you deserve to do your shift and go home safely to your family at the end of the night.”

The Firework Code recommends that only adults should deal with setting up firework displays, the lighting of fireworks and the safe disposal of fireworks once they have been used. 

Children and young people should be supervised and those who are conducting their own displays should do so at a distance. 

More information on the code can be found at firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety/fireworks-safety.aspx

Residents can report any build-up of material for bonfires or fly-tipping that could be used for a bonfire through the council website, via the MyGlasgow phone app or on the

MyGlasgow social media channels. Those who have information about large-scale firework misuse or deliberate fire setting can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.