EDINBURGH’S fireworks night of violence has been linked to individuals in East Lothian as part of a police investigation.

Acting Chief Inspector Ben Leathes, Police Scotland's local area commander for East Lothian, today revealed that he understood people from the county had a "direct link" to the shameful incident in Niddrie when youths pelted emergency service workers with fireworks and petrol bombs.

Speaking at a meeting of the county’s Police and Fire Board, Acting Chief Inspector Leathes said that, while there had been no incidents involving attacks on firefighters reported in East Lothian over the Bonfire Night weekend, there had been trouble outside the county boundaries.

He told the board: “I believe individuals from East Lothian were directly involved in the incidents in Edinburgh.”

A group of up to 50 youths took to the streets in Niddrie on Bonfire Night, throwing fireworks and petrol bombs at riot police as officers faced what Police Scotland described as “unprecedented levels of violence”.

READ MORE: Niddrie riot: Police Scotland condemns ‘disgusting disorder’

Police have been investigating claims that adults were involved in arming youngsters with the explosives in a co-ordinated attack.