Teenager charged after Halloween riots in Edinburgh when police vehicle window was smashed with brick

The teenager was arrested after Halloween overnight riots in Edinburgh resulted in a police officer being injured.

Emergency services were deployed to Hay Avenue in the Niddrie area as police vehicles and buses were pelted with fireworks and other rockets.

One officer was injured during the riots after the vehicle she was riding in was hit by a brick breaking a window.

The intersection of Niddrie Mains Road and Duddingston Park South and the intersection of Niddrie Mains Road and Greendykes Road were closed as police tried to calm down the violence.

Police were also called to Moredunvale Road, Southhouse Road and Captains Road, as well as West Pilton Park, following further reports of fireworks incidents.

A 14-year-old boy was arrested and charged with offenses related to the use of fireworks. Further investigations are ongoing to identify those involved in this disorder.

This comes a year after around 100 young people took to the same streets on November 5 in a repeat of riots that took place in the same area in 2022.

At the time, 62 officers were reported to have suffered a number of injuries from being struck by or near fireworks during incidents in Scotland last year.

Chief Superintendent David Robertson, Edinburgh Divisional Commander, said: “The riots we witnessed this evening were caused by a minority of people who intended to cause fear and anxiety in their communities and expose emergency workers to appalling levels of violence and aggression.

“Thankfully, local police teams were reinforced with specialist colleagues who helped bring these incidents to a safe conclusion. An investigation is ongoing to identify all those involved.

“I want to make it clear to anyone who thinks they will escape justice because they were not arrested this evening are very much mistaken. During our investigations you will be identified and held accountable for your actions.

“Our local policing teams will continue to be supported by Operation Moonbeam resources over the next week to ensure any further incidents of disorder or crime involving fireworks are dealt with appropriately.”

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