NICOLA Sturgeon has backed a call to ban fireworks for public sale after hearing testimony from the mum of a three-year-old who was horrifically burned.

She said seeing Pollokshields turned into a warzone on Bonfire Night should now act as a "line in the sand."

The First Minister, MSP for the area, spoke at an event organised by a community that will no longer tolerate fireworks chaos.

Ms Sturgeon said: "Our aim is to stop the out of control disorder we saw this year.

"If the police have to respond next year to the scale of what happened this year then we will have failed.

"So we have got to be thinking between now and then - how do we better engage with the people engaging in this sort of disorder?

"Should we be looking at community events to bring the community together to organise displays?

"In the longer, term given the complexities of legislation, we do need to think about how it is that people can get their hands so easily on these big, powerful fireworks.

"The biggest question is that of is it right that people of whatever age can freely obtain fireworks in the way that they can.

"Should we be looking at licensing of people who can buy fireworks?

"I can't offer an overnight solution to that.

"But I think we should be moving to a situation where fireworks should be effectively banned unless you are going to an organised display."

An event organised by Pollokshields Community Council saw police, the fire service, local councillors, Community Safety Glasgow and Trading Standards with Nicola Sturgeon come together to be quizzed by residents.

It followed terrifying scenes in Pollokshields on November 5 when around 40 men in balaclavas set off industrial fireworks in the streets.

A statement from the mum of a three-year-old girl who was injured on the night was read out.

The mum had been due to speak but is still too emotional.

Her statement told how a firework thrown into the close set the toddlers tracksuit bottoms on fire.

It read: "Her father quickly pulled her trousers off because the fire was reaching her upper part of body.

"Her right leg was all burnt with third degree burns and the other leg was left with a lot of burns.

"She has to go through skin grafting due to a lot of deep burns to her leg.

"There was several police vans and cars full of officers but none of them left their vehicle to make any arrests to these animals that hurt my little girl."

Mr Allan added that his officers are "deeply upset" by what happened on November 5.

Chief Inspector Ross Allan, area commander, told the meeting that 12 arrests have so far been made, eight on the night itself and four subsequently.

He added that enquiries are ongoing and that lessons will be learned from the events of this year.

While there was much anger and frustration expressed by a community that has endured the fireworks problems for years, the community council said it is now keen to gather positive ideas to help move forward.

A steering group, chaired by Ms Sturgeon, will now meet to determine plans to cut disorder before next year.