Wednesday October 21st 2026
Police Scotland
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Police Scotland will again provide a dedicated public order response across Scotland to help keep communities safe during the Halloween and Bonfire Night period.
Operation Moonbeam 2026 officially launched on Wednesday 21 October. Throughout the weekend of 31 October and in the run up to the evening of 5 November, local policing divisions can call on specially trained officers to respond to violence and disorder.
Now in its ninth year, Operation Moonbeam was launched in 2017 following significant fireworks-related criminality in several parts of the country. During the disorder, an Edinburgh officer was seriously injured after being struck by a firework.
Overall Bonfire Night disorder has since fallen. However, in 2023, unprecedented violence was directed at emergency services and 62 officers were injured.
Additional resources were deployed under Operation Moonbeam, and serious disorder fell in 2024, when one officer was injured. In 2025, no officer injuries were reported and Police Scotland recorded an almost 37 per cent reduction in emergency calls relating to fireworks offences compared with the previous year.
Last year, police undertook extensive community engagement, particularly with young people. This included supporting a Fearless-led Youth Summit to hear young people’s views and concerns about fireworks and strengthen relationships with emergency services.
Police also carried out targeted enforcement to identify those intent on causing disorder and remove illegal fireworks from communities. More than two tonnes of fireworks were seized before they could be used in violence during the Bonfire Night period.
Following last year’s campaign, 24 people have been charged with offences. Others previously charged in connection with crimes committed in 2024 have since been sentenced.
Chief Superintendent David Robertson, Gold Commander for Operation Moonbeam 2026, said: “I was encouraged by the reduction in serious offending in 2025. I also recognise the support of communities across Scotland as we worked to tackle violence and disorder and keep Halloween and Bonfire Night safe and enjoyable.
“I also want to thank every officer involved in community engagement, proactive enforcement and frontline deployments last year for their outstanding work to protect the public.
“Despite the overall reduction, some areas still experienced unacceptable criminality. Emergency service workers were again targeted with fireworks, bricks and other projectiles as they carried out their duties. This cannot and will not be tolerated.
“The criminal use of fireworks has very real consequences. The video we created with key partners in 2025 shows the potential for serious injury or death when fireworks are used as weapons.
“As in previous years, local policing divisions will work with relevant agencies to engage with and reassure communities and encourage people to share information about anyone planning disorder between Halloween and Bonfire Night. Firework Control Zones and Dispersal Zones will be in place in some areas. Officers can also issue Dispersal Orders requiring individuals to leave an area or face further police action.
“Operation Moonbeam resources will be ready to support local officers whenever required.
“My message to anyone who thinks violence and disorder are acceptable is clear: if you choose to put the public or emergency services at risk, we will use every resource available to identify you and bring you to justice, including body-worn video and CCTV footage.”
Community Safety Minister Kirsten Oswald MS added: “Recent years have seen widespread misuse of fireworks around Bonfire Night, which puts our communities and emergency services at risk, and this simply cannot be tolerated. While 2025 saw lower levels of disorder, Police Scotland remain clear action will be taken against anyone who breaks the law, and I fully support officers and the courts in tackling disorder.
“A number of measures have been introduced to improve firework safety, including a ban on providing fireworks to under-18s and making attacks on emergency workers using fireworks an aggravating factor that courts can take into account during sentencing. Local authorities have powers to designate firework control zones, and a number of these will be in place this year. I am grateful to all the emergency services who will again be on the front line to keep our communities safe and encourage anyone using fireworks in a personal capacity to do so safely and responsibly.”
Faith Currie, Procurator Fiscal for Edinburgh, Lothian and Borders, said: “Bonfire Night should be an opportunity for communities to celebrate safely. Those who choose instead to engage in violent, dangerous or disorderly behaviour can expect a robust response from the criminal justice system.
“A conviction can have serious and enduring consequences, impacting employment, education, travel and future opportunities for many years to come.
“We urge anyone who may be considering involvement in disorder to reflect carefully on those consequences before making choices that could affect the course of their lives.
“The safety of the public and of those working to keep communities safe is of fundamental importance. Any criminal conduct directed towards police officers, firefighters, ambulance personnel or other emergency workers will be treated with the utmost seriousness.
“COPFS will continue to work alongside policing and justice partners to protect communities, support frontline responders and ensure that criminal behaviour is met with an appropriate prosecutorial response.”
Details of Edinburgh’s Firework Control Zones can be found here.
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