John Swinney has said he is "encouraged" by measures to curb firework disorder despite Bonfire Night disturbances across the country.
The First Minister's comments came after Police Scotland figures showed officers responded to 18 incidents on Tuesday evening, down from 26 in 2023.
Police chiefs also said there was a "dramatic fall" in the number of police injured as "significant disorder" occurred across Edinburgh and Glasgow.
However, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has warned "someone will die" if tougher controls are not implemented.
It comes as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said it received more than 1,000 calls from the public during an eight-hour period on Bonfire Night.
The Scottish Government gave local authorities new powers to designate 'firework control zones' (FCAs) in 2022 following a major riot in Dundee.
Mr Swinney told journalists on Wednesday: "I totally understand the concerns and I understand how people will feel in a situation as alarming as they faced.
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"But I do think we have to give credence to the assessment by Police Scotland that the events were not serious and as intense as they had been in the past, which demonstrates that some of the steps we're taking are working."
Fire chiefs reported two incidents of fire appliances being attacked in Edinburgh, while there were three attacks in Clydebank and one in Blackridge West Lothian.
Initial figures indicate that crews responded to approximately 347 bonfires and 598 incidents across the country between 3.30pm and 11.30pm on November 5.
Disorder was reported across Edinburgh on Tuesday, including in the Moredun, Niddrie and Gracemount areas of the capital.
Officers and civilian cars were targeted with fireworks and bricks, it is understood.
Lothian Buses also withdrew all services to the Niddrie area during Bonfire Night.
Police and fire services were also deployed in Pollokshields, Glasgow, where a car was set on fire.
The area was to be the subject of they city's fireworks ban, however Glasgow City Council missed the deadline to issue a notification and the ban could not go ahead.
Mr Swinney added the assurances from Police Scotland that instances of disorder had decreased on previous years “encouraged” him measures were working.
“That gives me encouragement that the measures we have put in place, such as the firework control regulations, are having an effect.”
But Mr Cole-Hamilton said: "We should not be in a position where people get to the 5th of November and worry about being terrorised by thugs determined to stir up trouble. Sooner or later, someone will die if this is not effectively dealt with.
“Violent and antisocial behaviour has absolutely no place in our communities or in our society. Much more needs to be done to crack down on it, which is why I will be meeting with the First Minister in the coming weeks to discuss how we tackle it.
“It is essential that the Scottish Government works closely with the police and local councils to make public safety a number one priority. Ministers must also give our brave first responders the resources and support they need so that they can respond to incidents effectively."
Police Scotland's assistant chief constable Tim Mairs told the BBC: "It was very encouraging to see a reduction on the night in the level of significant disorder and a dramatic fall in the number of officers who were injured.”
However, he added that it was “still a very challenging evening” with “some significant disorder in a number of areas of Edinburgh and also in Glasgow”.
Liam Kerr, justice spokesman for the Scottish Tories, said: "There is simply no excuse for our brave police officers and emergency workers being under siege as they try to protect communities from violent thugs and my thoughts are with those who were attacked.
"Those thugs have been emboldened by the SNP’s soft-touch justice system and know that they will not be properly punished for these crimes. Criminals know they can take advantage as police have been pushed to breaking point by the SNP’s savage and sustained cuts to policing budgets.
“SNP ministers need to stop dithering and take a zero-tolerance approach against those who think this behaviour is acceptable. Officers must have the resources to properly keep communities safe and ensure firework control zones can be properly imposed.”
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