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Council leader asks courts to fast-track Bonfire Night disorder cases
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Council leader asks courts to fast-track Bonfire Night disorder cases

The leader of Edinburgh Council has called for court cases involving people who were arrested for causing a disturbance on Bonfire Night to be fast-tracked.

Cammy Day condemned the “deplorable” attacks on emergency services workers and bus drivers across the city over the past week.

A sharp increase in antisocial behavior is expected in early November. However, the capital’s police chief said this year was the worst disorder they have ever seen, according to Cllr Day, who added: “It can’t be the new norm.”

Large groups of youths attacked officers with fireworks, bricks and bottles during Bonfire Night and Halloween in Niddrie, Gilmerton, Sighthill, Gracemount and Moredun.

Police were given the power to stop and search people in some areas and deployed a helicopter to assist in the operation.

Meanwhile, Lothian Buses was forced to withdraw or divert services due to anti-social behaviour. The company reported that 16 of its buses were damaged. Additionally, an open-top bus carrying disabled youth was attacked outside the Dynamic Earth attraction.

Over the past week, officers have made 19 incident-related arrests. Six people have been charged under the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles Act, and a further 26 charges relate to criminal conduct.

Cllr Day praised the “exemplary work” of the police and “many bus drivers who were trying to do their job and were attacked with missiles through their windscreens and attacks on buses”, as he reflected on the “shocking disorder”. during a full council meeting. on Thursday, November 7.

“The morning after Bonfire Night and last week after the 31st, I arranged a meeting with the fire service, the police service, the Procurator Fiscal, the Lothian Youth Club Association, the council’s chief executive and several of our key management colleagues who were reporting to gold and silver over the past week.

“Several of the people involved, whether juveniles or adults, have been arrested and jailed pending a jury trial.

“These are people who threw rocks at the front windshield of a police car and injured one (police officer).

“These are people who have destroyed at least 16 buses and terrorized the drivers.”

He said 10,000 bus trips “could not be made due to the elimination of bus services across the city”, adding: “It is deplorable.”

Drivers were afraid to go to work because of the behavior of what the council leader called “a small minority, but a small growing minority, of young people in the east and south-west of the city”.

Cllr Day, who wants public safety to ban fireworks entirely, added: “It is the worst disorder the police have seen, which came because of the Edinburgh commander.

“That is why we have asked the Attorney General’s Office to expedite these cases through the justice system, whatever the justice system, and that people are treated appropriately.

“Whether it’s restorative justice, criminal justice or prison for some people, all of these options need to be considered.

“We are keen to work, as we did this year, with the Lothian Youth Club Association to provide additional funding to help young people across the town take part in other activities.”

The council leader said help from the “wider community” would be essential to reduce levels of anti-social behavior and violence.

“It cannot be the new norm in Edinburgh that at the end of October we accept public servants being attacked while doing their job.”

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray, MP for Edinburgh South, described the scenes as “disgraceful and unacceptable”.

He said: “We must stop the sale of fireworks to those who wish to take advantage of this time of year to wreak havoc on our streets.”

Police Scotland Deputy Chief Constable Tim Mairs said: “Now that our Bonfire Night deployments have been suspended, our investigation teams will begin to review all the evidence we obtained through Body Worn Video, footage from the Unit of Air Support and statements from the public.

“This will help us establish the identities of those who decided to cause harm within our communities and those who attempted to attack and injure emergency services workers.

“While I am encouraged that we did not see the same levels of serious disorder compared to last year, I am under no illusions that the actions of a minority of people still had a significant and detrimental impact on a number of communities across Scotland.

“Their actions will not be tolerated and detectives are working tirelessly to make arrests and ensure that everyone involved in the crimes we witnessed is held accountable.”

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