Firework chaos in city street
POLICE officers were attacked and residents left too scared to leave their homes during Bonfire Night chaos in Pollokshields.
Around 40 masked thugs took to the streets to let off industrial-sized fireworks that caused damage to cars and windows.
Riot officers sent to control the crowds were attacked with missiles.
AN investigation is under way after yobs wearing balaclavas set off fireworks and attacked police officers on Bonfire Night in the South Side.
Between 30 and 40 youths caused damage to windows and struck passing cars by setting off industrial sized fireworks between Herriet Street and Albert Drive at around 10.20pm.
Riot police dispatched to the scene to bring the situation under control were targeted by the thugs on arrival.
Specialist officers were sent in to break-up the group and a 17-year-old will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal in connection with the incident.
Police Scotland said their officers responded to numerous calls of reckless behaviour in the area and inquiries are ongoing to identify those responsible.
Residents said they called the police after seeing boxes of large fireworks being delivered to a nearby address ahead of the chaos unfolding.
Danny Phillips, of Pollokshields, has written to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon calling for assurance that such disorder will not happen again.
He said: “We had families who could not leave or enter their homes. People who left to go and stay in a hotel. Neighbours with elderly parents, young children, pets, teenagers who were terrified to go out, many in tears.
“Those of us living in Herriet Street, Pollokshields had 30 to 40 men, many wearing balaclavas, setting off industrial-sized fireworks in the middle of the street. Firing them up and down our street and Albert Drive. Running up and down the street with live fireworks in their hands. Hitting windows and cars. Causing mayhem. This happens most years.”
Chief Inspector Ross Allan, area commander for Glasgow South East, said: “Much of the disorder appears to have been pre-planned and I cannot stress strongly enough that this sort of disorder is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
“It is fortunate that no officers or members of the public were injured, although I am aware residents were distressed and upset by the disorder.
“Despite the extensive planning and local engagement undertaken in advance of Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night it is extremely disappointing that there are people who are reckless enough to set off what appears to be professional or industrial firework in the vicinity of houses. We will carrying out investigations into who sold these.”