Bonfire Night will see largest deployment of police resources since the visit of President Trump, a police chief has said.

Under Operation Amberlight, the force has drafted in officers from England and Wales for additional support on what is one of the police service’s busiest night of the year. 

Police resources are to be further stretched on November 5 with Glasgow hosting a UEFA Europa League match at Celtic Park as Celtic take on Beskitas, and intelligence received about planned protests in the city on Guy Fawkes Night.

Chief Superintendent David Robertson, Gold Commander for Operation Amberlight, said said it would be the largest officer deployment since US President Donald Trump visited Aberdeenshire in 2025.

Public order officers from Avon & Somerset, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Lancashire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, Kent, North Yorkshire, North Wales, West Mercia, Staffordshire, and South Wales Police are to be deployed to keep order on the city streets.

“Bonfire Night remains one of the busiest nights on the calendar for Police Scotland”, said the Chief Supt.  

Bonfire Night to see largest police presence since President Trump visit

“We are committed to supporting local policing divisions with dedicated nationally coordinated 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 November 5.

“Whilst we have seen improvements in recent years, we are not complacent, and with these additional challenges, our enhanced deployment model we will see 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.

“I thank them for their assistance as we work together to protect the public, reassure communities and respond effectively to incidents.”

Police are also implementing fireworks control zones and dispersal zones over Halloween and Bonfire Night to protect the community and deter fireworks-related disorder which has blighted parts of Glasgow in recent years.

Unacceptable levels of damage to public property and anti-social groups causing fear and alarm through the criminal use of fireworks involved targeting police officers and other emergency service personnel.

It will be a criminal offence to set off fireworks in areas including Govanhill, Pollokshields, Broomhouse, Harbour Terrace and Pollok between October 30 and November 9, carrying a potential £5,000 fine and six month jail term.

Officers will have the power to direct groups of more than two to leave a certain area and not return for 48 hours if they are displaying anti-social behaviour. Those who do not comply will be arrested.

Commenting on previous disorder in Pollokshields, Inspector Graeme Hogg said: “We fully understand the distress that was caused to many residents within Pollokshields in previous years and we are committed to ensuring we mitigate against similar scenes arising this year.
 
“In addition to Firework Control Zones being implemented by Glasgow City Council, we will utilise the Dispersal Zone to request individuals we believe are intent on causing disorder to leave an area. If they refuse, we will take appropriate enforcement action.
 
“The Firework Control Zones and Dispersal Zones, coupled with the legislation under the Firework and Pyrotechnic Articles Act provide us with a range of options to deter and respond to incidents of criminality involving fireworks and we can also supplement our local policing resources with additional specialist resource as part of Police Scotland’s national Operation Moonbeam campaign.
 
“We want Halloween and Bonfire Night to be memorable for all the right reasons, so please help us keep this time of year safe and enjoyable for everyone and do not behave in a manner that puts yourself, or others, at risk and which will result in you facing arrest and prosecution.”