Police to ride with fire crews in major Scotland safety plan for Bonfire Night

Police officers will sit inside fire stations and ride directly with fire crews to stop attacks on emergency workers during Bonfire Night. This plan is part of Scotland's largest police operation since the visit of President Donald Trump last year due to unique safety worries. Up to 1,700 officers may be sent out to handle firework trouble, a European football match with Celtic, and possible protests in Glasgow.

Reinforcements and New Plan

Extra public order vehicles and drivers are coming from 18 English and Welsh police forces to help. A new plan called Operation Amberlight puts police officers inside 10 fire stations across Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire, and East Renfrewshire. Supt Ross Aitken stated the goal is to back up fire service colleagues if they come under attack and give a fast response to any trouble. The annual public order effort for Halloween and Bonfire Night, known as Operation Moonbeam, is now in its ninth year and grew after 62 officers were hurt in 2023.

Rules and Background

Fireworks Control Zones that ban pyrotechnics in trouble spots have grown from 12 to 18 this year. SFRS Commander Mark Cleland noted that control zones help lower bad behavior. Local council displays have dropped over the years due to high costs for insurance, security, and stewarding. Glasgow Green has not held a display since before Covid, and Edinburgh's Meadowbank display stopped after 2017. Still, about 20 organised displays happened in the last five days with 79 more planned.

Context

Bonfire Night safety operations have grown much larger in recent years following severe attacks on emergency workers in areas like Edinburgh and Glasgow. Mutual aid arrangements between police forces allow different regions to share staff and vehicles during massive public events. Public firework displays have steadily moved away from large council-run events toward private venues and smaller organised shows due to rising costs.