28 of the calls received by Bristol’s 999 control room on the scariest night of the year

Fireworks and pumpkins being thrown, youths storming shops and ‘males chasing girls around a church with a sword’ were among the many reports received by Avon & Somerset Police on Halloween.    

As part of a live ‘tweetathon’, the account @ASPControlRoom tweeted for seven hours from 5pm until midnight last night, giving a glimpse into what a Halloween night in policing looks like.       

The calls the control received ranged from the absolutely horrifying, including groups of youths on rampages, to the downright silly.   

Avon & Somerset Police received more than 1,000 calls on both the 999 or 101 numbers.

These are some of the reports received by the control room on the scariest night of the year:   

• “40 youths in balaclavas ran off after throwing a brick through caller’s window, some reportedly holding metal bars”

• “Misdial. Caller apologised for pocket dialling. He says when his leg shakes a lot, he dials 999”

• “Caller wants police to attend and remove someone from their address ..."they aren't here at the moment though"...”   

• “9 males chasing two girls around a church, reportedly holding a rusty metal sword. Police on route. Police attended, appears to have been a hoax call”

• “50 youths trying to enter Asda and spitting at the staff. Police attended, group had dispersed. Log opened for an assault on a staff member”  

• “Caller is concerned a tree might fall over and would the call handler please call back with highways number as he has been waiting on 101 for ages“ 

• “Reports of a house party in Bristol with over 300 people in attendance. Despite the homeowner paying for security, party has spilled into street”

• “Report of vehicle driving the wrong way on the motorway“

• “Males trying to break into a shop with pliers and a crow bar”
• “20 youths reportedly throwing eggs at buses”

• “Caller reporting a gathering of youths in a park with fireworks”

• “10 youths throwing fireworks at a shop” 

• “20 teenagers, faces covered, throwing poppers at shop doors and stealing items”

• “Caller returned home to find their ex-partner waiting outside with a box of eggs”

• “10 youths reported rampaging a B&M store and refusing to leave.” 

• “11-year-old calling in to report that someone pulled down his friend’s dress. He did say it may have been an accident” 

• “Caller fears her ex husband has cut off her electric”

• “6 youths throwing glass bottles at parked cars”

• “Youths have smashed windows of a property and thrown flour all over the resident“

• “20 x teenagers wearing balaclavas scaring children”

• “Female climbing metal fences and has got stuck, second time she has done it today”  

• “10-year-old missing child was not allowed to go trick or treating but left anyway”

• “7-8 youths in balaclavas  and black clothing have stolen items from a store and left on mopeds “

• “10 youths setting off fireworks which are landing on main road, and throwing eggs as well” 

• “Youths throwing stones at cars and throwing pumpkins at people” 

• “30 teenagers in balaclavas and skull masks, kicking house doors, car doors and bins over” 

• “2 youths wearing clown masks trying to steal eggs from Co-op and being verbally abusive when challenged”

• “Voices heard commenting on a cute pumpkin costume. Call back made, caller confirmed safe and well”