Police targeted with eggs and fireworks as Halloween sees spate of anti-social behaviour

Police are appealing for parents "to take more responsibility for their children" after a spate of incidents on halloween saw objects thrown at officers and residents' homes.

South Wales Police said they responded to a spate of reports about cars and houses being targeted by youths with fireworks and eggs.

In one incident, police officers were pelted with objects while responding to calls from residents in Rhydyfelin. An hour later, a police van attending an emergency had fireworks and eggs thrown at it.

Nobody was injured but the police vehicle was damaged.

A number of separate investigations have been launched to identify those involved in disturbances and parents are being warned that their children face being arrested.

Local Policing Inspector Leigh Parfitt, said: “My message is simple – anybody involved in these disturbances can expect a knock on their door. We do not just respond to incidents – in each case we have launched investigations which will utilise body worn cameras and local CCTV to identify those who took part.

“It is by chance that nobody was injured last night –throwing things like eggs at a moving vehicle can cause a serious collision and properties being targeted with fireworks puts its occupants in serious danger."

Inspector Parfitt added: “Parents have a responsibility to know what their children are up to. Halloween and Bonfire night is no excuse for this type of behaviour and it will not be tolerated. I am urging people to take more responsibility before something far more serious happens.”

There will be an increase in patrols carried out by South Wales Police in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil and Bridgend as part of Operation Bang. This will continue through to bonfire night on November 5.

Neighbourhood policing teams have also been asking retailers not to sell eggs and flour to people under 18, in order to prevent them from being used in antisocial behaviour.