Bonfire night will see the largest number of police deployed to Scotland since Trump visit
Officers will be drafted in from 18 different UK regions as the force prepares to police bonfire night, Celtic’s Europa League tie and a planned protest.
Bonfire Night will see the largest co-ordinated deployment of police resources in Scotland since the visit of President Donald Trump, a senior officer has said.
Officers will drafted in from 18 different UK police forces as Police Scotland prepares for one of the busiest nights in its calendar.
As well as the potential for fireworks-related disorder, Celtic are taking on Beskitas in a UEFA Europa League match at Celtic Park on November 5.
Police said they also aware of images circulating online suggesting planned protest activity taking place within Glasgow on the same night.
A police operation – dubbed Operation Amberlight – has been set up to enable the force to respond to the “unique challenges” it could face, and to help ensure the safety of the public and emergency services.
This will include the deployment of public order officers from as far afield as Avon and Somerset, Hampshire, Hertfordshire and South Wales.
More than 7,000 officers were deployed over a four-day period during President Trump’s private visit to Scotland in July 2025.
Chief Superintendent David Robertson, gold commander for Operation Amberlight, said Bonfire Night remains “one of the busiest nights on the calendar for Police Scotland”.
“We are committed to supporting local policing divisions with dedicated, nationally co-ordinated, 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 (the) 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.”
The force previously warned that anyone involved in Bonfire Night violence and disorder will be identified, arrested, and brought to justice.
Police Operation Moonbeam 2026 has been set up for local policing divisions to call on specially trained officers to respond to violence and disorder.
Firework control zones and dispersal zones, which give officers the power to break up groups of two or more people whose behaviour is causing, or likely to cause, alarm or distress, will be in place in some areas.
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