FIREWORKS and alcohol were seized by police in parts of North Kent as extra patrols took to the streets to tackle Halloween high jinks.

This year an extra 16 police officers, community support officers and special constables were on duty on October 31 across Dartford and Gravesham.

The extra resources were made available thanks to the Kent Police Safer Autumn campaign, a targeted operation to combat the seasonal increase in anti-social behaviour surrounding Halloween and bonfire night.

It was a hectic night with a total of 63 incidents attended by Safer Autumn patrols.

One of these saw a large group of youths flee from what was about to be an impromptu fireworks display in Windmill Hill, Gravesend.

Following calls from members of the public in the area, special constables Karl South and Senja Compton attended to find a quantity of already used fireworks as well as a large quantity of live fireworks hidden in some undergrowth.

All were seized and taken back to Gravesend police station.

Also seized on the night was a quantity of alcohol and six arrests were made for criminal damage offences.

PCSO supervisor Lisa Breeze said: “Halloween night is always a busy night for us and as part of the Safer Autumn campaign extra resources were identified.

“Anti-social behaviour surrounding trick or treat and fireworks at this time of year can be particularly intimidating to the communities that we serve.

"As a result of extra police officers, PCSOs and special constables out on the beat this year, we were hopefully able to provide the extra reassurance people would have been looking for."