Police Scotland is drafting mutual-aid officers from 18 forces in England and Wales for Bonfire Night on 5 November, in what is described as its largest deployment since Donald Trump's visit in September 2025. The overarching operation is named Operation Amberlight.

Why this year needs mutual aid

The forces listed include Avon and Somerset, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Lancashire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, Kent, North Yorkshire, North Wales, West Mercia, Staffordshire and South Wales. Gold Commander Chief Superintendent David Robertson said Bonfire Night remains one of the busiest nights in Police Scotland's calendar.

Moonbeam in its ninth year

Pressure points cited for the night include fireworks disorder, Celtic's Europa League match against Besiktas on 5 November, and a planned protest in Glasgow. Reports list 14 dispersal zones for Edinburgh and one for Glasgow, with 14 Firework Dispersal Zones in Edinburgh running from 30 October to 8 November.

The deployment sits alongside Operation Moonbeam, Police Scotland's dedicated Halloween and Bonfire Night public-order operation, which launched on 21 October 2026 and is in its ninth year. Police Scotland says no officer injuries were reported in 2025 and fireworks-offence emergency calls fell by almost 37%.

Sources: The Scottish Sun, Glasgow Times and Police Scotland.