Bonfire Night ends with chaos after gang hurls petrol bomb at police and fireworks at passers-by

Bonfire Night across the country ended in chaos last night as thugs chucked fireworks at passers-by, set alight wheelie bins and threw explosives at police.

Scenes of disarray were seen in Leeds and Edinburgh with police in Manchester and Merseyside reporting blockaded roads.

Multiple videos posted on TikTok showed riot police descending on the streets of the Hyde Park area of Leeds last night, with thugs firing explosives at officers.

Footage showed fireworks exploding on the narrow streets and being aimed at a line of police in what resident’s last night described as a ‘war zone’.

Fireworks exploding in front of riot police holding shields and wearing helmets in the Hyde Park area of Leeds as chaos descended on Bonfire Night

West Yorkshire Police kitted out in full riot gear last night after yobs threw fireworks at them as they struggled to control the crowds

Police officers were seen retreating backwards as explosives were aimed at them, while others ducked down to avoid being hit as fireworks blew up in front of them. 

Cars were at a standstill as the explosives were aimed at people’s doorsteps and wheelie bins were set a light.

Riot police having fireworks chucked at them in Hyde Park, Leeds

Other videos showed riot police running down the road wearing helmets as those throwing the explosives were seen yelling.

One woman on Twitter wrote that it ‘was like being in a war zone in Leeds’ last night and ‘the air was thick with smoke’. 

The Scottish capital became a hub of violence and anti-social behaviour last night with around 100 youths chucking fireworks at members of the public and vehicles on Marischal Road.

Elsewhere in Edinburgh a motorbike gang blockaded a road with fireworks and hurled a petrol bomb at a police car. 

Footage shared online showed youths on motorbikes racing through the Niddrie area of the Scottish capital launching fireworks and petrol bombs on the ground.

It appears they were being thrown towards frightened passers-by and cars driving down the road.

People in the video are heard screaming and seen running away as the group continued to chuck the fireworks onto the road and near the pavements. 

Specialist police officers descended on the area following reports of a serious disturbance, urging people to stay indoors.

Bonfire Night ended in chaos in the NIddrie area of Edinburgh last night, as a gang of youths on motorbikes began launching fireworks and petrol bombs at passers-by 

Specialist police officers attended the scene urging people to stay indoors. It also said a police vehicle had been struck with a Molotov cocktail

Passers-by heading back from Bonfire Night celebrations were left terrified as fireworks were hurled at the ground

Police closed Niddrie Mains Road to traffic, where earlier in the night a fire had been lit to block the road to passing vehicles. There were also the remains of a temporary bus stop strewn in the street.

While attending the incident a police vehicle was attacked with breaks resulting in a window being smashed. One officer sustained a minor cut to their lip.

Around the same time in the Sighthill area of the capital, more police vehicles were targeted by youths with bricks.

Two officers had to be taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where one sustained a head injury, that required stitches, and the other needed treatment for glass in their eye. 

The scene in Niddrie after the street was attacked by a gang. The road was blocked off with fire bringing a chaotic end to this year’s Bonfire Night celebrations. A police vehicle was hit with a Molotov Cocktail but no one was injured 

The footage showed youngsters on motorbikes driving through the area and causing chaos 

People in the video are heard screaming and seen running away as the group continued to chuck the fireworks onto the road and near the pavements

In the Duddingston area of the capital police vehicles had petrol bombs thrown at them by another gang of youths.

Police Scotland said specialist officers had been deployed to the area of the city as part of the force’s Operation Moonbeam, following ‘reports of various incidents including anti-social use of fireworks, a break-in to a shop and road blockages’.

In total the force said 483 calls were made with regards to firework-related offences last night – a reduction from the previous year. Twelve people were arrested but police officers will continue looking for suspects in the coming days.

Officers closed off the road and urged people to stay indoors and avoid that part of the city due to a ‘youth-related disorder linked to Bonfire Night’

The incident echoed scenes seen in Dundee seen on Halloween earlier this week, where a group of youths were seen throwing fireworks at cars and blocking the roads with bonfires. 

In Glasgow, however, the mayhem continued when a flare was set off at a Kasabian gig at the Ovo, Hydro last night.

Footage showed the banned object being lit in the crowd before being chucked over fans.

One concert goer, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Glasgow Times: ‘I hope no one was hurt.’ 

Following the disruption the Scottish Ambulance Service also advised people to avoid Niddrie and stay indoors

A police presence remained outside the area of the capital to ensure the public were safe

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs said some individuals across the country showed a ‘blatant disregard’ for the safety of the public and emergency service workers, warning that officers are working to find those responsible for the chaos. 

‘A robust police presence will be in place to address the ongoing issues and keep the public safe.

‘Residents within Niddrie are asked to remain indoors and not hinder the ongoing emergency service response.’

And a spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: ‘Please avoid the Niddrie area of Edinburgh and locals please stay inside your properties.’

In Cheetham Hill, Manchester, a similar incident was reported, with police officers announcing youths were firing rockets at passing motorists, according to Manchester Evening News.

Greater Manchester Police said the first set of rockets had been seized the fireworks from the youngsters.

In a statement on Facebook the force wrote: ‘The following fireworks were located in Cheetham Hill near to Crumpsall Lane from youths who were launching them into the street aiming them at cars.

‘Antisocial behaviour with fireworks can be extremely dangerous. Keep reporting antisocial behaviour through to 101 and in an emergency 999. Stay safe Manchester.’

Firefighters attending a scene in Eccles, Greater Manchester, were attacked as a firework was thrown at them

In a separate incident, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said their firefighters said been attacked at an incident in Eccles, near Salford.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service tweeted: ‘Sadly our crews were met with anti-social behaviour when attending an incident in Eccles. 

‘A firework was thrown at crews who were trying to extinguish a bonfire. No one should be attacked when trying to keep communities safe. 

‘It’s #BangOutOfOrder and shouldn’t be tolerated.’

Officers in Greater Manchester also had to rush out to Salford after a firework had reportedly been shoved in a post box.

The force Tweeted: ‘Crews from Manchester Central, Salford and Broughton stations attended an incident where a firework had reportedly been put through the letterbox of a home in Salford. 

‘Firefighters arrived quickly and extinguished a small fire in the hallway of the property.’ 

Merseyside Police said that eight people had been detained following reports of fireworks being fired at cars and people causing obstruction to roads in the Toxeth area.

Mr Maris, Gold Commander for Operation Moonbeam for Police Scotland said: ‘Our initial analysis of the incidents arising on Bonfire Night show that, for the overwhelming majority of the country, people enjoyed the occasion safely and responsibly.

‘However, in some areas, particularly Edinburgh, various individuals have shown blatant disregard for the safety of the public and the emergency services and have actively targeted police officers and firefighters during the course of their duties.

‘This behaviour is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. I want to make it abundantly clear that considerable follow-up inquiry will be conducted in relation to all of these incidents, utilising all resources at our disposal to identify those responsible and bring them to justice. 

‘Do not think that just because you evaded police on the night, that we won’t be knocking on your door in the near future.’

 West Yorkshire Police have been contacted for a statement regarding the incident.