NIGHT-time police patrols have been increased across South Oxfordshire to combat anti-social Halloween pranks.

Officers in Didcot and Wallingford launched Operation Munitions in a bid to protect residents in the run-up to Halloween.

The annual operation, first run in 2008, will run until November 6 and officers have urged residents to call them if they are suffering pranks.

Didcot-based Sgt Fraser Weller, who devised Operation Munitions, would not reveal how many officers were involved for operational reasons, but said: “We only had one Halloween-related incident in Didcot last year and none in Wallingford and we would like to keep it that way this year.

“We work with retailers to encourage them not to sell eggs and flour to under-16 year olds and visit schools to show pupils videos about the effects that vandalism and anti-social behaviour can have.”

PCSOs Sarah Talbot and Becky Kent have been handing out posters to residents to display in their windows if they do not want to be visited by trick or treaters.

PCSO Kent said: “We have been into schools to encourage pupils to enjoy themselves but behave themselves during this period.”