Riot cops clash with firework yobs and police chopper called in as gangs torch bins & launch bottles
THIS is the moment riot cops and the police chopper descended on an Edinburgh housing estate tonight after rampaging yobs brought more bonfire night mayhem to the city.
Officers with shields and batons are facing down gangs in Niddrie who were launching fireworks at motors and setting wheelie bins ablaze.
Our footage from the scene showed riot cops chasing down dozens of youngsters.
There was also a tense stand-off where one person was bundled to the ground by officers who were blocking people from passing at a flashpoint spot.
Some innocent bystanders were also caught up in the mayhem as thugs launched bricks at police and set fire to more wheelie bins.
Youths gather around burning bins left to smoulder in the middle of the road as others film the chaotic scenes from their smartphones.
Cops wearing helmets form a line along the street before charging towards the group.
Dozens of yobs are then kettled by officers before they are herded away from the remains of the smoking bins.
Cops reversed back in their vans when yobs started throwing fireworks in their direction.
They then turned their vans round.
When the police left one member of the public was heard to shout: “They won’t throw them now – the police are gone.”
But their barrage continued and they then started throwing fireworks in the direction of members of the public.
Roads were first closed at around 6.45pm after fireworks were thrown in the direction of vehicles.
One pyro was seen flying onto Niddrie Mains Road and there was a flash before smoke was seen rising from the tarmac.
Moments later cops started diverting traffic away from the scene of the incident.
A police helicopter was shining its spotlight down onto the area.
Members of the public were advised to steer clear of the area where trouble erupted.
Fireworks could be seen and heard exploding in the air in the distance.
Elsewhere missiles were thrown at riot police gathered in the Gilmerton and Sighthill areas of Edinburgh.
MP for Edinburgh Ian Murray described the scenes as “disgraceful and unacceptable” amid further disorder in the Moredun and Gracemount areas of the city.
Gracemount Drive was closed off with cops diverting traffic away from the area.
A police helicopter moved over the area later into the evening with reports of tense scenes between riot police and gangs.
The Guy Fawkes disorder comes just days after Halloween fireworks mayhem in the same community.
At the weekend Chief Superintendent David Robertson said the police will leave “no stone unturned” to find those responsible for the firework-related violence in Niddrie and elsewhere on Halloween.
Groups of youths targeted police vehicles with fireworks and other projectiles amid numerous reports of anti-social behaviour last Thursday night.
One female officer was injured when the window of the vehicle she was inside was smashed by a brick and local buses were also pelted with projectiles, police said.
A 14-year-old boy has been arrested and charged in connection with alleged fireworks offences.
Edinburgh City Council leader Cammy Day said he was “shocked and saddened” by the “mindless violence” on what should have been a family-friendly Halloween.
Mr Robertson said he is “furious” one of his colleagues was attacked, while acknowledging disorder around Bonfire Night has become a recurring theme in this part of Edinburgh.
He told journalists: “I think (Niddrie) has become a focal point, in truth.
“It feels as though that’s why – it’s almost become an anniversary type position, where it’s okay to attack police in Niddrie.
“That’s what these individuals are seeking to do.
“That’s how they get a sense of enjoyment, it’s about attacking the police.”
When similar disorder took place in Niddrie around Bonfire Night in 2022 and 2023, police later discovered many of those involved were from other parts of the city and its suburbs, he said.