What was supposed to be a night filled with fireworks, laughter, and community spirit quickly turned into scenes of chaos across several UK cities.
While many gathered to enjoy traditional Bonfire Night festivities, police and firefighters instead found themselves dodging projectiles, calming riots, and arresting dozens amid shocking outbreaks of violence.
Streets Turn Hostile as Fireworks Become Weapons
In Birmingham, panic erupted when fireworks were launched into crowds in the city centre, forcing terrified bystanders to run for safety.
The situation spiraled as officers were attacked while trying to regain control near the city’s Children’s Hospital.
Twenty-one people between the ages of 14 and 25 were arrested for offences that included violent disorder, assaulting police officers, and setting off fireworks in public spaces.
Video clips shared on social media showed hooded groups brandishing large roman candles and multi-shot barrages, firing them toward police and pedestrians.
Riot teams were eventually deployed, but the sheer number of people overwhelmed law enforcement.
Officers had already anticipated possible unrest and issued a Section 60 order—allowing stop-and-search powers—but the night still descended into mayhem.
Inspector Matthew Minton of West Midlands Police described the events as “violent disorder” that put both officers and the public in danger.
“We made 21 arrests overnight,” he said, adding that weapons and fireworks were confiscated.
“This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated, and those responsible will be held accountable.”
Liverpool Emergency Crews Come Under Attack
Over in Liverpool, emergency services faced a nightmare of their own.
A fire broke out on the balcony of a high-rise block in Huyton, and when police and firefighters rushed to the scene, they found themselves under attack.
Fireworks were fired directly at them, injuring a female police officer in the leg.
A 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and remains in custody as investigations continue.
Chief Inspector Kevin Chatterton of Merseyside Police condemned the attacks, calling them “disgraceful.”
“It’s only by sheer good fortune that nobody was seriously injured,” he said.
Merseyside Police issued a Section 60 order covering the Garston Under the Bridge area to help officers regain control.
Fire officials later released a statement condemning the violence, reminding the public that firefighters “are there to protect our communities, not to be attacked.”
Bradford Police Injured Amid Firework Frenzy
In Bradford, another violent outbreak left a police officer hospitalized with an eye injury.
Groups of young people were seen carrying baseball bats and throwing fireworks at both police and members of the public.
Eleven arrests were made for affray, and a police car was also damaged in the melee.
According to West Yorkshire Police, dispersal orders were quickly enforced across several neighbourhoods to calm the situation.
But reports of fireworks being launched at random continued well into the night.
Greater Manchester and North Yorkshire Join the Chaos
In Salford and Bolton, fireworks lit up the sky in the worst possible way.
Videos captured groups of youths shooting fireworks across busy roads, narrowly missing moving cars and buses.
Authorities in Greater Manchester imposed dispersal orders to stop the situation from escalating.
In Scarborough, North Yorkshire, the night took an even darker turn when two children reportedly suffered severe burns after fireworks exploded in their hands and faces.
Emergency responders described the scene as “horrific,” and local reports say both children sustained serious injuries.
Scotland Also Faces Disorder as Firework Bans Ignored
The chaos wasn’t confined to England. Across Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service responded to an overwhelming 751 emergency calls in just eight hours.
Two attacks on fire service staff were reported, and Police Scotland confirmed two arrests and 45 dispersal orders across Edinburgh and Glasgow combined.
Despite Firework Control Zones (FCZs) being enforced—areas where setting off fireworks is a criminal offence—offenders still launched them at police cars and fire engines, damaging vehicles and endangering officers.
Fortunately, no major injuries were reported in Edinburgh, though antisocial behaviour was rampant in local parks.
Festivities Continue Peacefully in Lewes and Edenbridge
While some cities were engulfed in turmoil, others carried on with the traditional Bonfire Night festivities.
In Lewes, East Sussex, thousands gathered for the country’s most famous celebration, complete with parades, costumes, and effigies burning against the night sky.
This year’s displays included a giant effigy of former U.S. President Donald Trump dressed as Captain America and standing over a decapitated Statue of Liberty.
Created by the Southover Bonfire Society, the artwork added a satirical twist to the political undertones of Bonfire Night.
In Kent’s Edenbridge, the spotlight turned to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, depicted in a massive effigy labelled “Starmer the Farmer Harmer.”
Designed by artist Andrea Deans, the sculpture poked fun at Labour’s controversial inheritance tax proposal, which has angered many in the farming community.
A Longstanding Tradition of Satire and Protest
Edenbridge Bonfire Society has been burning effigies since the mid-1990s, targeting political figures and public personalities alike—from Boris Johnson and Liz Truss to Ticketmaster, after last year’s ticketing outrage.
“It’s a way of bringing back the true spirit of Bonfire Night,” said Bill Cummings, the society’s chairman.
This year’s effigy of Starmer is seen holding a clipboard with “Suck up to Trump” scrawled across it, symbolizing political hypocrisy.
The society expects over 500 people to join the torchlit parade through the town, keeping alive a tradition that dates back nearly a century.
Remembering the Origins of Bonfire Night
Despite the violence seen in parts of the country, Bonfire Night remains a deeply historical event commemorating the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605—when Guy Fawkes and his conspirators attempted to blow up Parliament and assassinate King James I.
In Lewes, the annual parade also honours 17 Protestant martyrs executed during the 1550s, represented by burning crosses that light up the town.
These solemn historical roots remind the nation of why the night exists in the first place: to reflect on rebellion, faith, and freedom—ideals that risk being overshadowed by the reckless behaviour of a few.
From Celebration to Caution
What should have been a night of unity and remembrance instead exposed deeper social issues across the UK—youth disorder, lack of respect for emergency workers, and the misuse of fireworks.
As authorities review the mayhem, many are calling for stricter controls and stronger community engagement to prevent future nights of celebration from descending into chaos.