While most 'Halloweeners' were well-behaved, officers say more than 2,000 people called the switchboard because of incidents in both counties.

On an average night, the force control room will receive around 700 calls.

Extra officers were drafted in to tackle anti-social behaviour from youngsters out trick or treating on Halloween.

Halloween has seen an increase in pranks

Most of the complaints were about egg and flour throwing by some unruly youngsters.

Some motorists found themselves being used as targets while they drove past.

A police spokesman said: "It placed a particular strain on our control room staff as it was an increase of about 300 per cent."

In 2001, police only received some 400 calls about Halloween pranks.