FIREWORK fights, egg throwing and nuisance calls – just three elements now making Halloween in Bristol the busiest night of the year for police.

Between 6pm and 9pm yesterday the force received 162 calls relating to anti-social behaviour in Bristol alone.

When the final total was announced today it was expected to be close to the 770 calls received on the same night last year.

Yesterday police drafted in around 100 extra officers in the Bristol area to deal with the expected high volume of incidents and complaints from the public.

The worst incidents included firework-throwing youths in St Paul's, who turned their attentions to police called to deal with them at about 8pm.

And at around 9pm in Rookery Way, Whitchurch, a group of more than 20 youths gathered and began letting off fireworks in the street.

At one point a car drove past them and a lit firework was thrown from inside the car into the crowd.

A police van arrived at around 9.20pm to disperse the group.

Police Community Support Officers caught a gang of youths in Barton Hill with a bag containing two dozen eggs after being spotted throwing them at the Showcase Cinema complex in Avonmeads.

PCSO Craig Hazzard, who helped catch the youths, said: "We stopped them because they matched the description of youths throwing eggs at the Showcase.

"Our normal procedure is to take their details and run them through the system to check that they are not wanted for anything more serious.

"We also give them words of advice about their behaviour."

Police seized more than £300-worth of fireworks from Henleaze Convenience Store in Henleaze Road, which did not have a licence for their sale.

But as well as the troublemakers there were also many groups of children in costume trick or treating.

Amanda Thompson, 36, from Barton Hill and Beverly Hewer, 34, from Speedwell were out in Barton Hill to accompany friends' children going from door to door asking for sweets and other treats.

Ms Thompson said: "They want to have some fun. We don't take them out for long and we go along to a proper party after.

"We wouldn't ever allow them to go out on their own because we were never allowed when we were young. I think as long as it's responsibly done it's OK."

Assistant Chief Constable John Long, who is in overall charge of policing in Bristol, was out on patrol last night.

He said: "Operation Relentless is focussing on Halloween this year because historically it's our busiest night of the year.

"A lot of those calls are from the public about anti-social behaviour and nuisances in the neighbourhood.

"There are many people who have fun at Halloween and many children who have a great time.

"We are not looking to criminalise them. But it's a small minority whose actions amount to anti-social behaviour.

"Sometimes the incidents are trick or treaters that overstep the mark. This can amount to trespassing or minor criminal damage like throwing eggs or flour.

"More serious offences include people who have been challenged and have become abusive or aggressive.

"We want people in Bristol to be safer and feel safer, so it's important we are out there dealing with it."