Fines for Halloween troublemakers

Thousands of youngsters will be on the streets for Halloween

Teenagers who cause trouble while out trick-or-treating face fines of £80 by some police forces this Halloween.

Police are preparing for a sharp rise in anti-social behaviour to coincide with the annual festival.

Statistics suggest there is a 20% increase in nuisance crime around this time of the year.

According to the Guardian, thousands of extra police officers will be on duty on Tuesday. Some forces have issued safety advice cards and leaflets.

Unmarked spotter cars will also be on patrol, looking out for unruly youths who take advantage of the night when many of the nation's children will go out trick-or-treating.

Donna Bell, spokeswoman for Cheshire police told the paper: "Last year we received 1,519 calls on Halloween, when the normal level would have been about 1,000.

"The year before it was 1,317 and in 2003 is was 1,119.

"Last year, the majority of calls complained of damage to property, rowdy behaviour and intimidation.

"This year, for the first time we have issued 24,000 yes/no posters and a further 24,000 leaflets advising parents and children on what they can do to enjoy themselves peacefully."

PC Nick Stephens from Warwickshire Police told the BBC the force is "cracking down" on Halloween-inspired anti-social behaviour.

"Our concern is that Halloween is a time when young people are going to enjoy themselves, but there are those who as they get older, thirteen, fourteen or fifteen go a little bit beyond the pale," he said.

"They're the ones we will be cracking down hard on and that sort of behaviour can be knocking and running away from doors, ringing doorbells and running away."