Fireworks are launched at police and bins set ablaze as Bonfire Night chaos begins: 12 arrested

Fireworks were aimed at police and at least 12 were arrested as Bonfire Night descended into chaos in some parts of the country.

A police car was set alight in Glasgow and one person was arrested after a paramedic was injured trying to treat a casualty.

Revellers aimed fireworks at ambulance crews and police officers as they tried to reach the injured man.

And in East Sussex there were 11 arrests at the Lewes Bonfire event, which featured effigies targeting Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and South East Water.

Offences included assault, drunk and disorderly behaviour, possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage.

As of 1am 52 people had been treated by paramedics with four taken to hospital.

Sussex Police said up to 20,000 people attended the parade, with a clean-up operation beginning in the early hours. 

Bins in the south of Edinburgh were set on fire in the road amid trouble involving youths.

A youth poses before a burning Police Scotland van on Greenside Street, Glasgow, on Thursday night

Officers had been trying to reach an injured man when the vehicle was set alight as disorder broke out across Scotland 

There were six arrests at the Lewes Bonfire event in East Sussex

Among the effigies paraded at the event was one depicting Reform UK leader Nigel Farage

Prime Minister Andy Burnham also featured in the parade, which drew 20,000 people and saw 11 arrested

Another effigy took aim at the profits made by South East Water

Groups of young people launched fireworks at emergency services as they tried to deal with the disorder.

One witness said: 'They're setting fire in the park and shooting fireworks at the police and firemen.'

A Police Scotland spokesman said officers were called around 5.30pm to a report of youths blocking the road in the Scottish capital.

The force added: 'Officers attended and fireworks were set off in their direction, but no injuries have been reported.

'Several small fires in bins and the park were extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

'Officers remain in the area, and inquiries are ongoing to trace those involved.'

Elsewhere in the city fire crews were called to a grass fire near homes and separately to put out a bonfire.

Scottish police mounted their biggest operation since Donald Trump's visit last year, drafting in officers from England and Wales to reinforce their ranks.

Bonfire Night coincided with Celtic's Europa League tie against Besiktas in Glasgow, which they won 3-2.

Officers from as far afield as Avon and Somerset, Hampshire, Hertfordshire and South Wales were deployed on Scottish streets.

With the additional police in place, Chief Superintendent David Robertson of Police Scotland said the force was prepared.

Speaking on Thursday afternoon, Mr Robertson said he was 'confident that we're ready for whatever may happen this evening'.

'Tonight is about capitalising on the additional capability and capacity we've got deployed tonight,' he told officers at Fettes police station.

'We need to respond effectively and we need to make our presence felt when it's required.'

Mr Robertson said the vast majority of people who are out will likely be enjoying Bonfire Night peacefully.

A group gathered at a bonfire in the Wester Hailes area west of Edinburgh

'Our job is to protect them from those who may have other intentions,' he said.

'If we do see disorder, my ask of you tonight is really simple: that you respond effectively to help protect the communities that might be affected.'

At the briefing in the Fettes police headquarters in Edinburgh, he asked officers to be proactive, decisive and disciplined.

'If it's necessary to make arrests, then please do so,' he said.

Mr Robertson added that officers should be 'disciplined and decisive at the same time' to bring disorder to a conclusion 'quickly, safely and effectively'.

'It is not lost on me the additional training and responsibility you are all voluntarily taking on to go out and protect our communities tonight, and you may face considerable risk in doing so,' he said.

'I am very grateful for your commitment. So, please look after yourselves and each other, and make sure that everyone gets home safely tonight.'

Police Scotland chief constable Jo Farrell also addressed officers at the Edinburgh station before they deployed.

Some 1,700 officers from across the UK were drafted in to tackle Bonfire night disorder, with vans lined-up outside Fettes Police Station in Edinburgh

She said she is 'absolutely confident' in officers ahead of the evening.

Yesterday, community safety minister Kirsten Oswald told BBC Radio Scotland's Breakfast programme that police forces calling in help from other parts of the country under mutual aid arrangements is 'something that happens on a reasonably regular basis'.

She added: 'It's really important that we do have the officers that are needed, the provisions that are needed this evening.

'It is quite a unique set of circumstances that the police are facing. They have the big football game, the potential disorder and, of course, Bonfire Night is already a very significant night in the calendar for all of our emergency services.

'The work that our emergency services do this evening is absolutely critical. I absolutely stand behind them in that, and would ask people to please consider their own behaviour, behave in an orderly manner. If you're going to enjoy fireworks, do that safely.'