Scots have been left ‘terrified’ after a gang of around 15-20 masked youths marched down a busy street armed with ‘fireworks and bats’ amid an attack on a capital petrol station.
Calder Road in Edinburgh has now been locked down with riot police trying to tackle ‘youths aiming fireworks at cars’. Footage from the scene shows multiple fires having been lit on the main road as well what appears to be fireworks being aimed at the nearby petrol station.
It comes after reports of youths targeting cars in Niddrie. Previoulsy a resident in Sighthill captured footage of a large group passing their home on nearby Glenalmond Place, with what appeared to be fireworks being distributed among them, reports EdinburghLive.
The resident, who was out with their child at the time, described the frightening encounter: “I think they had some fireworks and maybe baseball bats. I took my wee boy to the bottom of the street but had to turn right back as they were setting them off into trees near the park. My wee one got scared, and then they passed my house ten minutes later. Honestly, no care for people’s safety—it’s a shame.”
Footage shared by Fife Jammer Locations on Facebook shows dozens of riot cops chasing louts on Calder Road. The road can be seen to be alight as smoke billows up into the sky. Projectiles have also been fired at cars attempting to scatter the carnage with road signs and railings also being thrown onto the tarmac.
Unconfirmed reports of a similar group aiming fireworks at cars in other parts of Broomhouse have circulated online, with claims that the individuals were also carrying ‘bats and sticks.’
Another eyewitness reported seeing youths armed with bats and golf clubs on Calder Road, where they were allegedly ‘throwing wheelie bins at cars.’ Two police riot vans were reportedly seen in the area shortly after.
A third witness reported seeing cars ‘turning and driving the wrong way’ in an attempt to flee to safety amid scenes of violent disorder.
Earlier in the evening, police responded to incidents of vehicles being hit by fireworks in Niddrie, deploying specialist resources to curb the antisocial behavior.
Lothian Buses has confirmed diversions are in place on Calder Road, Drumbrae, Gilmerton, and Gracemount due to the ongoing disturbances.
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