Fireworks launched at cops and bins set ablaze as Bonfire Night begins

Fireworks were fired at police and emergency workers, while at least seven people were arrested as Bonfire Night celebrations descended into disorder in parts of the country.

A police vehicle was set ablaze in Glasgow, where one person was arrested after a paramedic was injured while attempting to treat a casualty.

Revellers reportedly directed fireworks at ambulance crews and police officers as they tried to reach the injured man.

In East Sussex, at least six people were arrested during the Lewes Bonfire event, where effigies of Fifa president Gianni Infantino and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage were paraded.

Bins were also set alight in the road in south Edinburgh during disturbances involving groups of youths.

Young people launched fireworks at emergency workers as they attempted to respond to the unrest.

One witness said: ‘They’re setting fires in the park and firing fireworks at the police and firemen.’

A Police Scotland spokesman said officers were called at about 5.30pm after receiving reports that youths were blocking a road in the Scottish capital.

A youth poses before a burning Police Scotland van on Greenside Street, Glasgow, on Thursday night

A youth stands in front of a burning Police Scotland van on Greenside Street, Glasgow, on Thursday night

Officers had been trying to reach an injured man when the vehicle was set alight as disorder broke out across Scotland

Officers had been trying to reach an injured man when the vehicle was set alight amid disorder across Scotland

There were six arrests at the Lewes Bonfire event in East Sussex

Six people were arrested during the Lewes Bonfire event in East Sussex

Among the effigies paraded at the event was one depicting Reform UK leader Nigel Farage

One of the effigies paraded at the event depicted Reform UK leader Nigel Farage

The force said: ‘Officers attended and fireworks were fired in their direction, although no injuries have been reported.

‘Several small fires in bins and in the park were extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

‘Officers remain in the area, and inquiries are continuing to identify those involved.’

Elsewhere in Glasgow, firefighters were called to a grass fire close to homes and, separately, to extinguish a bonfire.

Police Scotland mounted its largest operation since Donald Trump’s visit last year, bringing in officers from England and Wales to bolster its numbers.

Bonfire Night also coincided with Celtic’s Europa League match against Besiktas in Glasgow, which Celtic won 3-2.

Officers from Avon and Somerset, Hampshire, Hertfordshire and South Wales were among those deployed on Scottish streets.

With the extra resources in place, Police Scotland Chief Superintendent David Robertson said the force was ready for the night’s events.

Speaking on Thursday afternoon, Mr Robertson said he was ‘confident that we’re ready for whatever may happen this evening’.

‘Tonight is about making the most of the additional capability and capacity we’ve deployed,’ he told officers at Fettes police station.

‘We need to respond effectively and make our presence felt when it is required.’

Mr Robertson said the vast majority of people out for Bonfire Night would probably be celebrating peacefully.

Police and ambulance crews were targeted with fireworks while bins were set ablaze in Edinburgh

Police and ambulance crews were targeted with fireworks as bins were set alight in Edinburgh

A group gathered at a bonfire in the Wester Hailes area west of Edinburgh

People gather around a bonfire in Wester Hailes, west Edinburgh

‘Our job is to protect them from those who may have other intentions,’ he said.

‘If we do see disorder, my request tonight is simple: respond effectively and help protect the communities that may be affected.’

During a briefing at Fettes police headquarters in Edinburgh, he urged officers to act proactively, decisively and with discipline.

‘If it is necessary to make arrests, then please do so,’ he said.

Mr Robertson added that officers needed to be ‘disciplined and decisive at the same time’ so any disorder could be brought to an end ‘quickly, safely and effectively’.

‘It is not lost on me the additional training and responsibility you are all voluntarily taking on to go out and protect our communities tonight, and you may face considerable risk in doing so,’ he said.

‘I am very grateful for your commitment. Please look after yourselves and each other, and make sure everyone gets home safely tonight.’

Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell also addressed officers at the Edinburgh station before they were deployed.

Some 1,700 officers from across the UK were drafted in to tackle Bonfire night disorder, with vans lined-up outside Fettes Police Station in Edinburgh

About 1,700 officers from across the UK were drafted in to deal with Bonfire Night disorder, with vans lined up outside Fettes Police Station in Edinburgh

She said she was ‘absolutely confident’ in the officers ahead of the evening.

Earlier, community safety minister Kirsten Oswald told BBC Radio Scotland’s Breakfast programme that police forces requesting assistance from other parts of the country through mutual aid arrangements was ‘something that happens on a reasonably regular basis’.

She added: ‘It is really important that we have the officers and resources needed this evening.

‘The police are facing a fairly unique combination of circumstances. There is the big football match, the potential for disorder and, of course, Bonfire Night is already a very significant date in the calendar for all our emergency services.

‘The work our emergency services carry out this evening is absolutely critical. I fully support them, and would ask people to think about their own behaviour and act in an orderly way. If you are going to enjoy fireworks, please do so safely.’

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