POLICE have hailed the Advertiser Halloween poster campaign a huge success.

In recent years up to 400 calls - relating to egg and flour throwing have been received from concerned residents who had been tricked during Halloween pranks.

But this year police dealt with just a fraction of that thanks partly to our campaign.

No official data has yet been compiled, but police say they dealt with a total of 214 incidents on Sunday.

And that includes crime not related to Halloween.

The Evening Advertiser launched the poster in response to feedback from our readers, who said they dreaded visits from trick or treaters.

We urged people who felt vulnerable to pick up the phone and request a copy of our poster to display in their front window.

The response was magnificent and we took calls from nearly 600 readers many of whom requested posters for friends and neighbours.

It read: 'Have a happy Halloween but please don't trick or treat here'.

The Swindon branch of the Wiltshire Blind Association, based at Craven House in Victoria Road, got on board and snapped up 30 posters for its members.

Sgt Richard Moorhouse, of Swindon police, thanked us for driving home the message of having fun but not at the expense of others.

"The poster campaign helped to prevent some of the problems that we usually see on Halloween night," he said.

"A lot of youths go about trick or treating with a sensible attitude.

"Unfortunately some people spoil it for everyone, which is a shame."

Central areas of Swindon saw few problems apart from minor incidents involving eggs in Bourne Road, Moredon and Cedars Close, Rodbourne.

Blunsdon also came under attack. Yvonne Jepson, of High Street, caught youths throwing eggs at her car and house.

She said: "When I approached them they just hurled a load of abuse at me. It's made a terrible mess."

The worst appeared to be in Wroughton traditionally an egg-throwing hotspot.

Youths in the village ran rings around officers who were called in to reports of eggs being thrown at passing cars.

Priors Hill, Weirside and Devizes Road were all targeted.

"The incidents were all reported between 8pm and 9pm and we suspect that it was the same group who carried it out," said Sgt Moorhouse.

"Unfortunately by the time we received the call and got officers to the scene they had fled."

The officer said it was lucky no one was hurt in the attack on Priors Hill.

"Throwing eggs at moving cars could easily cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles. It could have serious consequences."

Last week we reported how a gang were spotted hurling yoghurt pots at cars in the village.

Coun Brian Ford, (Con, Wroughton and Chiseldon), who is also a member of the Wiltshire Police Authority, said: "Wroughton has a large elderly population.

"I do not want to stop the kids having fun, but they should stop and think before targeting people in this way."

Kevin Shoesmith