Egg-throwing has become a worrying trend, Sussex Police say

The force issues a poster for people to display in their windows if they do not want Halloween callers and visits schools to ask children to respect it.

Last year, 24 incidents related to trick or treat were reported to Sussex Police, compared with 73 in 2003.

The campaign started in the late 1990s, when hundreds of complaints were made.

Criminal damage

Vandalism and mischief by trick or treat callers left many residents distressed, especially the elderly and vulnerable, Sussex Police said.

A spokeswoman said shopkeepers were being asked to be cautious when selling eggs to young people, especially on Halloween itself, on 31 October.

"Egg-throwing, at both property and people, has become a worrying trend during the last two years," she said.

"This is extremely anti-social, and can be classed as criminal damage or even assault.

"Sussex Police will rigorously investigate any injury caused by this type of behaviour."

The spokeswoman said police advice to people wanting to celebrate Halloween was to organise a party for friends and neighbours.

"We are not killjoys, but it is important to remember that unsupervised young people wandering around at night and knocking on strangers' doors may be exposed to danger," she said.