Police Car Set On Fire In Glasgow Bonfire Night Attack

Police Car Set On Fire In Glasgow Bonfire Night Attack

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A police vehicle was set alight and a paramedic injured in Glasgow on Bonfire Night after emergency crews were targeted with fireworks while responding to an injured man, Police Scotland has said, according to The Guardian. The incident occurred shortly before 8pm on Thursday, November 5, 2026, when police and ambulance crews were called to Greenside Street. As they attempted to assist, both crews were attacked with fireworks, resulting in serious damage to a police vehicle and a minor injury to an ambulance staff member. One male has been arrested, and inquiries are ongoing.

Operation Amberlight: Coordinated Response Amid Disorder

The attack on emergency services occurred as Police Scotland launched its largest deployment of officers since the visit of US President Donald Trump in 2025. Operation Amberlight, the force’s coordinated response for Bonfire Night, saw specialist resources deployed across Scotland to manage potential disorder. The operation included mutual aid support from police forces in England and Wales, with officers from as far afield as Avon and Somerset, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, and South Wales ready to assist.

Chief Superintendent David Robertson of Police addressed officers before deployment, emphasizing preparedness. If it’s necessary to make arrests, then please do so. Chief Constable Jo Farrell also expressed confidence in the operation, stating she was absolutely confident in officers ahead of the evening.

Police Car Torched as Emergency Workers Attacked with Fireworks on Glasgow Bonfire Night

Edinburgh Incidents and Broader Challenges

Disorder was not confined to Glasgow. In Edinburgh’s Oxgangs and Colinton Mains areas, youths were reported to have blocked roads and set bins alight on Thursday evening. Police responded to fireworks being set in their direction, though no injuries were reported. Firefighters attending to bin fires in the south of Edinburgh were also forced to withdraw due to anti-social behaviour, with crews calling on police for assistance.

The coinciding UEFA Europa League match between Celtic and Besiktas in Glasgow and potential protest activity added layers of complexity to policing efforts.

Control Zones Ban Pyrotechnics in Specific Areas

To mitigate annual disorder, authorities have expanded the use of Fireworks Control Zones (FCZs), which ban the use of pyrotechnics in specific areas. This year saw an increase from 12 to 18 zones, including in known hotspots like Govanhill and Pollokshields in Glasgow. Breaching a control zone is a criminal offence, punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to £5,000.

Superintendent Ross Aitken highlighted the partnership approach, with police officers embedded at fire stations in Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire, and East Renfrewshire under Operation Academia.

Silhouettes of people surrounding a bonfire in front of some flats
Photo: BBC

Fire Services Pushed Beyond Safe Limits

Fire Brigades Union national officer Adam Taylor noted that services were pushed far beyond safe limits during last year’s Bonfire Night, which saw a 10-year high in call volume in London. He called for an increase of 5,000 firefighters to ensure safe and effective responses.

In Inverclyde, while not a major hotspot historically, fire crews have faced incidents where fireworks were fired at them. Group commander Rod Anderson urged residents to attend organised displays where possible, advising that private celebrations should be conducted safely with adult supervision. They are mums, dads, brothers and sisters just the same as everybody else in the community and we really want our crews to make it home safe, he said.

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