No arrests as police report quietest Hallowe'en night yet for anti-social behaviour

Last night's Hallowe'en evening was the quietest yet for anti-social behaviour, according to police.

Avon and Somerset Police said the number of 999 calls received between 4.30pm yesterday and 2.30am this morning well dipped below the 1,000-mark for the third year in succession.

Just 332 emergency calls were recorded, compared with 475 calls last year and 571 in 2010.

"Year-on-year since 2007 there has been a reduction in the number of calls recorded," said a spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police, which received more than 1,900 emergency calls on Hallowe'en night five years ago.

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"On what has traditionally been one of the busiest nights of the year for the police in Avon and Somerset, there has been a gradual decrease in 999 calls.

"During the evening there were isolated incidents across the force area – minor incidents involving fireworks, eggs and flour and some anti social behaviour.

"High profile anti social behaviour patrols were held and no arrests were made."

Police said the number of non-emergency calls to the force's 101 number also dropped below the 1,000-mark for the third Hallowe'en in a row.

Last night 668 calls were recorded between 4.30pm and 2.30am - a significant reduction on last year's 844 calls.

In 2006, almost 2,800 non emergency calls were logged by the force's communications team on Hallowe'en night.

Officers had worked closely with schools and traders in the build-up to Hallowe'en night.

Extra staff were drafted into the Portishead headquarters to deal with any 999 or 101 calls, and police said more than 98 per cent of 999 calls were answered within 10 seconds.

Chief Inspector Andy Bennett said: "Obviously the wet weather deterred a lot of people from going out to trick and treat but some people took on board our advice and braved the elements to enjoy All Hallows Eve.

"Our aim was to ensure people had an enjoyable time, providing support and reassurance to our vulnerable and elderly members of the community, while at the same time cracking down on the isolated incidents of anti social behaviour – egg and flour throwing and firework incidents.

"There were a small minority of people who tried to cause problems during the evening but these turned out to be isolated incidents which were dealt with quickly and effectively.

"There were no arrests for Halloween-related anti social behaviour."