A squad of police officers mounted a special Hallowe'en pumpkin patrol to crack down on trick-or-treat trouble spots in Brighton and Hove.

The team of 24, made up of 20 local policemen, plus members of the special volunteer constabulary and community support officers, patrolled residential areas on the look out for gangs causing trouble.

Officers confiscated eggs and flour, used in the past to hurl at windows, as well as patrolling roads to make sure young children and their families were safe to enjoy a night of festive fun.

Last year many residents felt threatened by gangs who used the guise of traditional Hallowe'en trick or treating to cause havoc.

Chief Inspector Lance Gray, east district commander, said: "For some people trick or treat night is not benign fun - it's an annual festival of vandalism, intimidation and criminal damage.

"We received a passionate letter from a resident in Bevendean who said she was tormented by gangs. She asked us what our response would be this year. Well, this is it.

"We decided a more co-ordinated response was needed to respond to the fact that trick or treating can be antisocial behaviour.

"Additional resources above and beyond the normal Friday night patrols were called in to intervene with any unruly groups and create a highly visible reassuring patrol.

"Officers were also speaking with shop keepers to stop them selling eggs and flour and other mischievous items.

"The team was also mobilised to make sure those out there for innocent fun were safe, for example by patrolling roads.

"Over the past week 22,000 leaflets were also distributed giving advice to people on how to enjoy themselves safely in public places."

Cul-de-sacs, shop parades, telephone kiosks and children's playgrounds were targeted by the team.

The patrol was part of Operation Athlete, a scheme started in the summer to crack down on antisocial behaviour on Friday and Saturday nights.