Night of chaos as yobs clash with police, hurl fireworks at officers and set bins on fire
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Edinburgh police were targeted by gangs of youths across a housing estate in the Scottish capital last night, inciting violent disorder across wider parts of the city.
Armed with shields and batons, police officers were called to Niddrie to put a stop to the hooligans' behaviour as they launched fireworks at cars and began to burn bins.
Footage from the scene has shown officers running after groups of yobs down residential streets, according to The Sun.
Disturbances during Bonfire night in Scotland have become so regular that local officers have designed a specific operation - called Moonbeam - to implement whenever such ordeals take place.
Disturbances during Bonfire night has become so regular that local officers have a specific operation - called Moonbeam - to implement whenever such ordeals take place
PA
The videos from last night depicted a brawl between officers and perpetrators, where one individual was tackled to the ground by police - blocking passers-by.
Others were brought into the chaos unwillingly as the gangs hurled bricks directly at the Scottish officers, as they burned wheelie bins along streets.
By-standers watched the chaotic mayhem ensue as officers lined up and then, united, charged towards the gangs.
Dozens of the perpetrators are said to have been confined and taken away from the scene.
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Then, when officers began to reverse out of the area, one person was heard to shout: "They won't throw them now - the police are gone."
However, fireworks soon were launched by the remaining thugs - roads were closed imminently just before 7pm.
A police helicopter was soon shining a light down on the affected area, while the rest of the police force advised the public to avoid the Niddrie area.
The residential areas of Gilmerton and Sighthill were also affected, as locals launched rockets at Edinburgh police.
In response, Edinburgh Council's leader Cammy Day said he was "shocked and saddened to hear of the mindless violence and disorder".
NIddrie has faced several years of similar riots, causing chaos and mayhem across the area
PA
He said: "This is a time for families and young people to come together and enjoy Halloween in a safe environment, so it's incomprehensible to me that anyone would choose to cause such disruption, fear and alarm in our communities - particularly with hooligans deliberately targeting buses and police vehicles.
"I would appeal to anyone who can help identify those responsible to contact police as soon as possible so they can be dealt with appropriately through the justice system."
Over the weekend, chief superintendent David Robertson assured that the police would leave "no stone unturned" to find the culprits of the violent disorder across Edinburgh on October 31.
Following even more chaos in the Moredun and Gracemount areas of the city, MP for Edinburgh Ian Murray said that the events were "disgraceful and unacceptable".
This disorder has followed similar events last year, when police in the Scottish capital were forced to face down violent "hooligans" over Halloween as officers were targeted by fireworks and bricks for the second year in a row.
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