Police seized BB guns, beer, eggs and flour from teenage gangs hell-bent on causing Hallowe'en horrors.

Four youngsters, aged 13 and 14, were stopped in Patcham, Brighton, on Monday night and each had about 40 eggs with them.

Inspector Steve Curry said: "They initially said they had bought the eggs to take home and cook - until we pointed out that some were already missing from their boxes.

"That, tied with the fact one youth was covered in flour, pretty well sewed it up for us."

Four more youths were stopped in the Fiveways area of Brighton where a police dispersal order has just come into force.

The youngsters were found with an array of BB guns. Mr Curry said: "We will be bringing in all eight youths and cautioning them for going equipped to commit criminal damage.

"We had far fewer incidents of trouble this year and I would like to think our pro-active patrolling is one reason."

The seizures were among only a handful of incidents reported on Hallowe'en night in Sussex.

Police said hundreds of young children enjoyed trick-or-treating and only a few teenagers caused trouble.

Police received 30 complaints of eggthrowing in West Sussex on Monday night and believe there could have been more incidents which went unreported.

They warned a number of youths in Worthing after trick-or-treat antics got out of hand.

There were also reports of fireworks being let off in the streets.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman issued a reminder that people can be prosecuted for the offences.

She said some youths were searched by police to ensure a peaceful Hallowe'en night.