The Council Leader has thanked residents and partners for their efforts in keeping communities safe during Bonfire Night celebrations.
Council Leader Jane Meagher said:
While it’s encouraging to see that Bonfire Night was broadly a peaceful evening across the city, I was angry and disappointed to see isolated incidents of disorder, with a small minority seemingly intent on causing fear and alarm in our communities.
We cannot and must not accept this type of mindless behaviour, in particular the targeting of our emergency services, and I hope those responsible are caught and brought to justice as soon as possible.
For all that, I’m pleased that the majority of our residents were able to enjoy the celebrations in the way we would expect – with friends and loved ones at community-led displays – and that bus services were able to run as normal.
Months of planning and close partnership working have gone into preparing for this period, and I’d like to thank our council teams, Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Lothian Buses, community organisations and our other partners for all their efforts.
Our approach has focused on prevention as well as enforcement, from Firework Control Zones to engaging with young people and providing positive alternative activities. The organised events across the city also went well, offering families and communities the opportunity to come together. I’m grateful to everyone who has played their part in making these efforts count.
I’d like to reiterate my thanks to residents for acting responsibly, looking out for one another and helping to keep their neighbourhoods safe – and hope that they will remember Bonfire Night for all the right reasons.