Bonfire rowdies are ruining it for the rest

For most who attended the festivities, Bonfire Night was a chance to spend time with friends and family as they enjoyed the heat of the fire and the thrill of the displays.

But a sinister undercurrent persists on what is proving to become the most challenging night of the year for the emergency services.

Despite multiple pleas in the build-up to November 5 for people to attend public displays, many chose to light their own bonfires and set off their own fireworks, putting themselves and others at serious risk of harm.

Worse still, some chose to use the convenient cover of the celebrations as an opportunity to wreak havoc in their communities.

In Dundee, a gang attacked a fire crew on a callout, while a man had to prevent a blaze in his own home when a lit firework was shoved through his letterbox.

Large-scale disturbances were reported elsewhere in the country.

In total, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service had to attend more than 300 bonfires and handle more than 800 calls – it is too much for an already-stretched service which may have to deal with a genuine, large-scale emergency at any moment.

The majority should never have to suffer because of the actions of a mindless minority but at some point, the annual Bonfire Night carnage will have to stop.