Bonfire Night carnage captured in police chopper night vision footage as gangs clash with riot cops
POLICE helicopter footage has shown violent gangs of youths running rampage on the streets on Bonfire Night.
Riot police and members of the public came under attack by pyro-armed louts in yet another year of shocking scenes on the streets.
Gangs of youths launched fireworks, hurled bricks at cops and torched motors on the street amid the shameful scenes in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Violence erupted for the second year in a row in the capital’s Niddrie as riot cops chased down gangs of youth who were pelting them with fireworks.
Pyro thugs also targeted a petrol station on Calder Road in Sighthill, launching rockets at the forecourt and setting fires on the road.
Pollokshields was described as a “war zone” last night as fireworks were sent flying in the direction of passing cars by masked youths and another motor was set on fire.
Footage captured by a night-vision camera on board a Police Scotland helicopter showed the shameful violence unfolded.
Hooded thugs set off fireworks in an underpass before running rampage through the streets.
The video then shows them lobbing bricks and glass bottles at a line of riot cops while small fires burned in the road.
Police Scotland launched Operation Moonbeam in an effort to tackle Bonfire Night violence across the country.
The national force responded to 585 calls about fireworks and issued eight dispersal orders.
Five were issued in Moredum, two in Gracemount and one in Niddrie.
Since Halloween, 19 people have been nicked across Scotland for fireworks-related crimes.
Six people have been charged under the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles Act, while a further 26 have been charged for alleged associated criminality.
Police chiefs have now vowed to hunt down the thugs who terrorised communities with their bonfire night violence, with more arrests expected in the coming days.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, Gold Commander for Operation Moonbeam, said: “Now that our Bonfire Night deployments have stood down, our investigation teams will begin reviewing all the evidence we obtained through Body Worn Video, Air Support Unit footage and statements from the public.
“This will help us establish the identities of those who chose to cause harm within our communities and who sought to attack and injure emergency service workers.
“Their actions will not be tolerated”
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs
“While I am encouraged that we didn’t see the same levels of serious disorder when compared to last year, I am under no illusion that the actions of a minority of individuals still had a significant and detrimental impact on various communities across Scotland.
“Their actions will not be tolerated, and detectives are working tirelessly to make arrests and ensure all of those involved in the offences we witnessed are brought to account.”
Were you impacted by Bonfire Night violence?
POLICE Scotland has set up an online portal after the shameful scenes of violence across the country.
A Major Incident Public Portal has been established, allowing communities to share video and photo evidence of Bonfire Night offences taking place in their area.
Anyone with footage that can assist officers in identifying people involved in fireworks-related crime can submit it to the police here.
Chief Superintendent David Robertson, Divisional Commander for Edinburgh, said his cops are continuing to probe violence that took place on Bonfire night and Halloween.
“I made it clear following the incidents that occurred during the evening of Halloween that we’d leave no stone unturned as part of our investigations and I am reaffirming that statement today.
“Law-abiding members of the public living in Niddrie, Calder Road, Gracemount and Moredun were left terrified as serious disorder took place in their communities and vital bus services that allow safe travel across our city were violently attacked, which is entirely unacceptable.
“Law-abiding members of the public were left terrified as serious disorder took place in their communities.”
Chief Superintendent David Robertson, Divisional Commander for Edinburgh
“I am enormously grateful and immensely proud of all of the officers and staff who contributed to Operation Moonbeam.
“Colleagues worked tirelessly behind the scenes and on the front line, putting themselves in harm’s way to restore order and return these areas to a state of normality as quickly as possible, but the work begins now in terms of identifying and arresting everyone responsible.
“If members of the public have information or evidence that can help with our inquiries then please contact us immediately.”
‘Targeted disorder’
Chief Superintendent Lynn Ratcliff, Divisional Commander for Greater Glasgow Division, said: “The overwhelming majority of those within Glasgow chose to enjoy Bonfire Night in the proper spirit.
“However, groups of young people, motivated to cause the maximum amount of fear and alarm carried out targeted disorder in certain parts of the city.
“This put not only local residents at risk but meant police officers, fire service personnel and ambulance crews were in danger of being injured, as they responded to protect communities. Thankfully, however, no injuries were reported.
“Detectives across Glasgow are reviewing all evidence they obtained during Bonfire Night, and working with the public to gather more information, which will help bring these offenders to justice.
“If you believe you can assist with our ongoing inquiries then please get in touch.”