'999 call is for dire emergencies'

Halloween is one of the busiest nights of the year for police

It's traditionally one of the busiest nights of the year for police where trick or treaters take delight in causing havoc by throwing eggs and flour to unsuspecting residents.

This year police are asking anyone targeted by Halloween pranksters to call an alternative number.

They're reassuring residents they will attend and it won't take longer to respond.

It will also free up the 999 system for more serious incidents.

'Absolutely terrifying'

Norman Pascal, chief inspector of communications, for Avon and Somerset Police said: "What we find on Halloween is that we get overwhelmed in the 999 system, and for people with those type of incidents (which are life-threatening or could cause serious injury) really can't get through."

He added that for situations where people have eggs and flour pelted at them or their houses and cars, the more appropriate number would be 0845 456 7000.

"I'm not lessening the effect of this type of anti-social behaviour on anybody.

"There's a number of vulnerable people out there in our communities who find this absolutely terrifying, and I'm not lessening the effect on these people. What I'm saying is that we will attend to those calls when we get them."

Last year, 623 emergency calls were received by Avon and Somerset Police between 3pm and midnight.