Police unveil new weapon in fight against Mischief Night misery

'TROJAN BUSES' AIM TO CATCH PERPETRATORS OF ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR IN THE ACT

- By MEGAN BANNER

PEOPLE across Merseyside have been appalled by petty vandalism in recent years over the period of 'Mischief Night, Halloween and Bonfire Night.

The reckless behaviour has seen buses attacked, car windows smashed and fireworks thrown, in what several people have previously likened to horror film The Purge.

Mischief Night, which used to be on November 4 but in recent decades has moved to October 30, was recorded as early as the 1830s.

Back then, pranks such as swapping shopkeepers' signs or throwing cabbage stalks at neighbours were the norm, but things have become a lot more sinister since then.

In an effort to deter antisocial behaviour, Merseyside Police have put in place multiple dispersal zones throughout Merseyside.

However, acts of vandalism continue to plague the region.

Last year, buses were diverted due to antisocial behaviour, with some services being cancelled for the rest of the evening.

In Birkenhead, Stagecoach services to Woodchurch were cancelled completely at around 8pm due to "multiple incidents".

Elsewhere, buses were subject to delays and cancellations, including the Arriva 61 service in West Derby Village, which was "withdrawn" until the end of service.

In Huyton, services 8 and 9 were diverted from Woolfall Heath Road until the end of service.

People living in Garston likened the night to being a "war zone" with gangs running wild, setting bins on fire, throwing bricks at cars and setting fireworks off. One person who lived in the area told the ECHO at the time it was gangs of around 15 to 20 young people causing mayhem.