A police van was targeted with fireworks and eggs as it responded to an emergency call.
South Wales Police has urged parents to take more responsibility of their children after a series of incidents in the Valleys involving anti-social behaviour on Halloween night where eggs and fireworks were being thrown at houses and cars.
Police Inspector Leigh Parfitt said it was just luck that meant nobody was hurt and said children faced being arrested and investigations were taking place to identify the culprits.
In one incident on Cae Fadre estate in Tonteg, a police van attending an emergency was targeted with fireworks and eggs. It came an hour after police officers were pelted with objects while responding to calls from residents in Rhydyfelin. Nobody was injured but the police vehicle was damaged.
Local Policing Inspector with South Wales Police, Leigh Parfitt, said: “My message is simple – anybody involved in these disturbances can expect a knock on their door. We do not just respond to incidents – in each case we have launched investigations which will utilise body worn cameras and local CCTV to identify those who took part.
“It is by chance that nobody was injured last night –throwing things like eggs at a moving vehicle can cause a serious collision and properties being targeted with fireworks puts its occupants in serious danger.”
Police patrols had been increased prior to Halloween in anticipation of increased calls about antisocial behaviour and will continue for the next week.
Neighbourhood policing teams have asked retailers not to sell eggs and flour to people under 18 to prevent them from being used in antisocial behaviour.
Inspector Leigh Parfitt added: “Parents have a responsibility to know what their children are up to. Halloween and Bonfire night is no excuse for this type of behaviour and it will not be tolerated. I am urging people to take more responsibility before something far more serious happens.”
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