Gang Throw Fireworks At Police In Glasgow

6 November 2018, 16:23

Police have condemned masked youths who "recklessly" set off fireworks and threw them at police officers in Glasgow on Bonfire Night.

Residents described being forced to hide in their homes for hours as large gangs of youths let off fireworks at houses, cars and police on November 5.

One of the most serious incidents police said officers were called out to was at Herriet Street and Albert Drive in Pollokshields.

They responded to reports of a group of between 30 and 40 youths, wearing masks and setting off fireworks indiscriminately, which caused damage to windows and struck passing cars.

When officers arrived the youths threw fireworks and other objects at them.

Specialist national public order officers were deployed to help disperse the group and a 17-year-old boy will be reported to the procurator fiscal in connection with the incident.

Danny Phillips, who lives in the south side of the city, shared footage on Twitter of the explosives being let off by "big, big groups of young men" in balaclavas in a street filled with tenements and parked cars.

Mr Philips, 53, claimed he and his neighbours called Police Scotland several times for help but were told officers were "overwhelmed" by the number of issues they were being asked to deal with.

He told the Press Association: "I was told things like 'you've got to remember this is dangerous for the police', 'we're dealing with other incidents and we'll get to you as we can', 'just stay indoors' was another one and 'hopefully they'll run out of fireworks soon'."

Several fire crews were also attacked as they responded to incidents on November 5, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said.

No one was seriously injured but the service said crews responded to hundreds of bonfires while control rooms handled more than 700 calls from members of the public on Monday.

Police are appealing for information about the disorder in Glasgow.

Chief Inspector Ross Allan, area commander for Glasgow South East, said: "Much of the disorder appears to have been pre-planned and I cannot stress strongly enough that this sort of disorder is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

"It is fortunate that no officers or members of the public were injured, although I am aware residents were distressed and upset by the disorder.

"Despite the extensive planning and local engagement undertaken in advance of Halloween and Bonfire Night it is extremely disappointing that there are people who are reckless enough to set off what appears to be professional or industrial fireworks in the vicinity of houses.

"We will be carrying out investigations into who sold these.

"Our inquiries to identify those involved are ongoing and I would appeal to anyone who was in the area and witnessed the actions to get in touch with Police Scotland."

He added: "The foolish actions of those responsible could have had much more serious consequences."