'Disgraceful' Bonfire Night disorder in Edinburgh as fireworks thrown and streets blockaded
Bonfire Night disorder in Scotland’s capital has been branded as "disgraceful" by Edinburgh’s council leader.
Police Scotland deployed specialist officers to the Niddrie area of the city on Saturday night, after footage online showed a motorbike gang racing through the streets and fireworks being launched across the ground.
Residents were urged to stay indoors as police closed main roads to traffic.
The force has confirmed that a total of 483 calls were received relating to fireworks offences, with the majority of serious incidents taking place in the capital.
Police say fireworks, petrol bombs, flares and bricks were thrown, roads were barricaded and some youths attacked officers armed with scaffolding poles and a baseball bat.
Several officers were injured across the evening, including one who sustained a head injury that required stitches, and another that needed treatment for glass in their eye.
Twelve people were arrested, and a further 15 dispersed from dispersal zones.
Edinburgh City Council leader Cammy Day said: "The scenes the local community had to suffer and witness in Niddrie last night were disgraceful and disgusting.
"It’s extremely fortunate that no-one was seriously injured as a result - attacks on the emergency services are despicable and reckless behaviour like this endangers lives.
"I would like to reassure residents we are working closely with Police Scotland to ensure the community are safe and appeal to anyone who can help identify those responsible to contact police so they can be dealt with appropriately by the justice system."
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, Gold Commander for Operation Moonbeam, added: "This behaviour is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
"I want to make it abundantly clear that considerable follow-up inquiry will be conducted in relation to all of these incidents, utilising all resources at our disposal to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.
"Do not think that just because you evaded police on the night, that we won’t be knocking on your door in the near future."
Anyone with any information about the incidents is asking to contact 101.
Watch ITV News Correspondent Peter Smith's story about the chaos which engulfed parts of Dundee last week (Photo: Twitter/@oxiconton)
The disorder echoed scenes in Dundee earlier this week, where several youths were arrested for allegedly hurling fireworks at officers and setting fires.
It was described as "like something from a war-torn nation".
Police Scotland confirmed one of its officers had suffered a minor injury, labelling the violence as "reckless" and "dangerous".
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