Police Scotland launches Operation Moonbeam 2026

Police Scotland launched Operation Moonbeam 2026 on October 21, making specially trained officers available to local divisions during the Halloween and Bonfire Night period to respond to violence and disorder. The operation is intended to support policing across Scotland through Halloween weekend and the run-up to November 5. Local divisions can call on the trained officers when needed, while police said they will also use body-worn video and CCTV footage to identify people suspected of causing disorder. Dispersal zones and orders may also be used in some areas. The launch follows a year in which Police Scotland reported fewer fireworks-related emergency calls and no officer injuries during the 2025 Bonfire Night period. The force said calls relating to fireworks offences fell by almost 37% compared with 2024. Those figures were reported by the force as part of its account of the previous year’s campaign. Police Scotland also said officers seized more than two tonnes of fireworks during the 2025 Bonfire Night period and that 24 people were charged following that campaign. The force said community engagement, including work with young people, accompanied targeted enforcement....