Police have seized 350 kilograms of fireworks valued at approximately £12,000 that were destined for online sale before Bonfire Night. Officers acting on intelligence discovered the pyrotechnics during a raid on a property in the Penilee area of Glasgow on Tuesday. According to BBC News, the seizure is believed to represent one of the largest single recoveries of fireworks in Scotland.
The raid followed a turbulent Halloween period during which Police Scotland fielded 144 fireworks-related calls, a decrease from 160 calls recorded on 31 October the previous year. Incidents involving fireworks thrown at people, buildings and vehicles were reported across Glasgow, Tranent in East Lothian and Bonnyrigg in Midlothian. In one particularly concerning incident, a child was injured after being struck by a firework thrown near their pram in Glasgow.
Some of the seized fireworks possessed the capacity to discharge 600 individual rockets, presenting a significant public safety risk. Police Scotland indicated that the Penilee warrant resulted from intelligence provided by the local community, highlighting the role of public cooperation in disrupting illegal fireworks trafficking.
What was the police response?
Chief Inspector William Campbell, the local area commander, emphasised the preventative nature of the operation.
There was potential for these to be used to commit disorder in the coming days and taking them off the streets has potentially stopped the public and emergency service personnel being targeted by them.He added that
Prevention is a huge part of the work we do to help maintain public safety, protecting property and minimise anti-social behaviour ahead of Bonfire Night.A report regarding the seizure will be forwarded to the procurator fiscal for consideration of charges. Police confirmed that no officers sustained injuries during the Halloween incidents, though investigations to identify those responsible remain ongoing.
What enforcement measures are in place?
Firework Control Zones, where setting off fireworks constitutes an offence, have been established in 14 areas across Edinburgh and four in Glasgow, remaining in effect until early November. Dispersal zones have also been activated in certain locations to prevent gatherings associated with fireworks disorder. These measures form part of a broader enforcement strategy designed to protect communities during the high-risk period surrounding Bonfire Night.
What is Operation Amberlight?
Scotland's largest police operation since President Donald Trump's visit last year will unfold on Bonfire Night, Thursday, 5 November. Police Scotland has expanded the operation to account for Celtic's Europa League match against Besiktas and possible protest activity in Glasgow on that date. As many as 1,700 officers could be deployed on and around 5 November to manage fireworks-related disorder and maintain public safety.
The operation, titled Operation Amberlight, represents a continuation of specialist public-order responses that Police Scotland has maintained since 2018 through Operation Moonbeam, which was established following unprecedented levels of criminality in 2017. Police and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service personnel are scheduled to work together from ten fire stations across Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire on 5 November, ensuring coordinated emergency response capacity throughout the evening.
What support will be available?
The scale of the operation reflects the complexity of managing multiple simultaneous events and potential disorder. Public-order officers from 18 forces in England and Wales will provide mutual aid to support Police Scotland's deployment, demonstrating the inter-force coordination required for this significant policing event. The partnership approach between police and fire services underscores the commitment to protecting both the public and emergency service personnel from fireworks-related harm.
Key Facts:
- 350kg of fireworks valued at £12,000 seized in Glasgow on Tuesday, believed to be one of Scotland's largest single recoveries
- Police Scotland received 144 fireworks-related calls on Halloween night, down from 160 the previous year
- Up to 1,700 officers will be deployed on 5 November as part of Operation Amberlight, Scotland's largest operation since President Trump's visit
- Firework Control Zones are active in 14 Edinburgh locations and four Glasgow locations until early November
- Officers from 18 English and Welsh forces will provide mutual aid for the Bonfire Night operation
