By Gemma Fraser
Head of content
Concerns for police resourcing on Bonfire Night have been raised as officers face a major European football fixture and potential protests on the same day.
Police Scotland bosses have drafted in officers from 18 different forces across England and Wales to help manage the potential for widescale disorder on November 5.
It is understood the force asked for the Celtic vs Besiktas game at Celtic Park to be rescheduled to an alternative date due to the demands on resourcing, but this request was rejected.
Police Scotland said it is also aware of images circulating online suggesting planned protest activity taking place within Glasgow on the same night.
The Scottish Police Federation, which represents the officers who will be facing potentially dangerous scenes, has raised concerns about the pressure that will be placed on cops.
Chair David Threagold told 1919: “There is no question that these events will place significant strain on already stretched resources.
“That said, I am confident that Police Scotland has the resources available to deal with these challenges.
“I would urge the public to enjoy this time of year, attend pre-planned events, and be warned that if you are intent on engaging in criminality of any kind, Police Scotland will deal with you robustly.”
The force’s national response to Bonfire Night, named Operation Moonbeam, is designed to provide additional specialist support to local policing divisions.
In previous years, police have come under attack from groups throwing fireworks and missiles, with violent scenes in 2023 resulting in 62 officers being injured.
“Bonfire Night remains one of the busiest nights on the calendar for Police Scotland”
Chief Superintendent David Robertson
Serious disorder fell the following year, 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.
On Halloween this year, Police Scotland received 144 fireworks-related calls, with pyrotechnics being thrown at people, buildings and vehicles. However, this was a reduction from the 160 incidents recorded the previous year.
In addition to Operation Moonbeam, Operation Amberlight will provide extra support in Scotland, with public order officers south of the border providing mutual aid.
Chief Superintendent David Robertson, Gold Commander for Operation Amberlight, said: “Bonfire Night remains one of the busiest nights on the calendar for Police Scotland.
“We are committed to supporting local policing divisions with dedicated nationally co-ordinated specialist capabilities, and Operation Amberlight builds on what is already in place to further enhance our capability and capacity to respond to the unique challenges we may face on 5th November.
“Whilst we have seen improvements in recent years, we are not complacent, and with these additional challenges, our enhanced deployment model will see the largest deployment of police resources since the visit of President Trump.
“As a national service, one of our strengths is our ability to deploy officers where they are needed across the country, supporting local policing teams with specialist capabilities.
“In the face of increasingly more complex demands, we can build on that strength with mutual aid from colleagues in England and Wales to meet the additional demands.”
Community safety minister Kirsten Oswald 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.”
Firework Control Zones will operate in Edinburgh until November 8, and in Glasgow until November 9.
A Police Scotland spokesperson told 1919 “a proportionate policing plan” is in place for the Celtic v Besiktas game at Celtic Park.
They added: “We continue to work closely with a range of partners, including both clubs, to maintain public safety and minimise any disruption.”
