HALLOWEEN celebrations in the county have been compared to a horror film as yobs armed with eggs, flour and fireworks caused chaos for several neighbourhoods last night.
Celebrations resulted in a busy night for police officers who reported scores of antisocial behaviour and incidents including fireworks being thrown in the street.
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Thames Valley Police (TVP) in teams in Tilehurst said they were called to Walnut Way from concerned residents over fireworks being used dangerously.
Thanks to the members of the public who called in about the fireworks in Walnut Way. We've been patrolling Tilehurst this evening, stopping and speaking to young people. We have confiscated fireworks and will continue with our patrols in the area to keep everyone safe.
— TVP Reading (@TVP_Reading) October 31, 2019
The force said it had confiscated fireworks int he area as a result.
One commenter, on the police response, said: "Thank you for your efforts in Tilehurst last night. Can we have a dispersal order here next year.
"It felt like The Purge."
Police said reports suggested around seven large groups of people were among those setting off fireworks in the street.
Similar problems with fireworks were reported in Arborfield with one resident claiming fireworks were being 'thrown at children'.
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Elsewhere in Berkshire, residents reported sweet pots being stolen from a home in Shinfield, as well as in Paddock Heights, near Twyford, and pumpkins stolen in Woodley.
Egging was also reported to police in various neighbourhoods including multiple incidents in Woodley, and pumpkins being destroyed on doorsteps in Ascot.
TVP West Berkshire also said early on the night it had already seen an increase in children carrying eggs, flour and fireworks with them.
Officers added that their response while be 'robust' in tackling the anti social behaviour.
🎃Halloween is not an excuse to cause Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) Ensure u know what your children are up to as we have already seen an increase in children in possession of eggs & flour and fireworks. The neighbourhood teams are out in force this week dealing robustly with ASB
— TVP West Berkshire (@TVP_WestBerks) October 30, 2019
Other issues reported included problems in Thatcham and Newbury, with at least one arrest made by TVP West Berkshire officers.
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Another warning came from police in response to people misusing fireworks across Reading, and police posted a video about the disastrous impacts for one family who had a firework posted through their letter box in recent years.
The night is young, but we have already received reports of fireworks being thrown in #Didcot #Reading and #Slough. Our officers are en route to the incidents.
— Thames Valley Police (@ThamesVP) October 31, 2019
Here's a reminder of why you should not do this #TVPHalloween pic.twitter.com/5kwYl3j0bi
A dispersal order was put in place in Whitley to help officer deal with the antisocial behaviour - and can ban a group of two or more people from any area for up to 48 hours.
They can be arrested if they return within that time.
The order covers Northumberland Avenue, Longbarn Lane Recreation Ground, John Rabson Recreation Ground, The Cowsey, Whitley Woods & Swallowfield Estate Park.
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