Meanwhile, police say they received 483 calls about fireworks violations. Twelve people were arrested and another 15 dispersed from the Dispersal Zones, with officers saying further arrests could follow. The most serious incidents occurred in the Niddrie area of Edinburgh, where youths threw fireworks at police, firefighters and ambulance staff. During a call to an illegal fire in Langside Street, Clydebank, SFRS were attacked by twenty youths using fireworks, prompting MAT police to back up. A police vehicle was damaged and a man was arrested. Among the flashpoints in Edinburgh were Marischal Road, where a fire truck had a window smashed, and a police car was flattened in Ferry Road Drive, where a riot squad van was also damaged. Further incidents were reported in the Drylaw area of Edinburgh, where police and firefighters were confronted by youths armed with fireworks, scaffolding poles and a baseball bat. Three police officers were injured, including two in the Sighthill area of the city, when the vehicle’s windows were smashed. Both were taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. In the Duddingston area of the capital, streets were blocked by suspects and petrol bombs were thrown at police. A major police operation has been launched after violence flared in Niddrie Around the same time in Glasgow, a man outside the OVO Hydro threw a flare into a crowd of people. He was arrested by security personnel at the scene. Two people were arrested for the matter. Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, Gold Commander for Operation Moonbeam, said: “In some areas, particularly in Edinburgh, individuals have shown a blatant disregard for public safety and the emergency services and have actively targeted police and firefighters during duration of duties. “This behavior is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. I want to make it absolutely clear that significant further investigation will be conducted in relation to all of these incidents. Don’t think that just because you evaded the police at night, we won’t be knocking on your door in the near future.” He added: “Everyone on duty during the Night of the Fire showed exceptional professionalism and dedication to keeping communities safe from harm in extremely difficult and challenging conditions. I am grateful for all their efforts.” Firefighters attended 242 incidents in the western service area, 89 in the east and 25 in the north between 3.30pm and 11.30pm on Saturday. As it became known, no injuries were reported by the firefighters. Assistant Chief David Farris, service director for the SFRS, said: “We are disappointed to report five assaults on our firefighters. In the lead up to Bonfire Night, we had spoken about this type of unacceptable behavior from a small minority which sadly happens year after year. “Our staff should be able to carry out their role without being attacked and it is disappointing that people have tried to harm firefighters and have damaged our appliances and equipment.”
