Police said Halloween pranksters went "too far"

Officers condemned the reckless activity of the teenagers who left many householders frightened.

The worst offenders were in Grampian and Tayside, where police said they received numerous calls.

Officers in Grampian logged 82 calls of complaint with more than 50 Halloween related and involving youths throwing eggs, fruit and stones.

At an Asda supermarket in Aberdeen, a young gang of between 25 and 30 people threw food at parked cars.

Whilst we anticipate there will be an element of mischievous behaviour at Halloween, some irresponsible youths can just go too far Tayside Police

They then walked to a nearby school, where they pelted passing vehicles with food.

Later that evening, a group of 10 youngsters broke a bus window at the city's Queen's Cross by firing a paintball at it.

Inspector Hamish Sandison, of Grampian Police, said the "reckless" incidents had distressed residents, particularly elderly ones, and had endangered the safety of drivers and passengers.

"It is only by virtue of good fortune that no-one was injured," he said.

In Angus, Tayside Police said the Halloween pranksters had taken their trick or treating "one step too far" by throwing eggs, flour and fruit at houses in Carnoustie, Monifieth and Birkhill.

Parents called

The force is now stepping up its patrols to try and catch the offenders.

A Tayside Police spokeswoman said: "Throwing eggs and flour at windows may appear to some youths to be a bit of a lark and a good laugh, but for residents, some of whom are elderly, this is no laughing matter.

"Whilst we anticipate there will be an element of mischievous behaviour at Halloween, some irresponsible youths can just go too far."

She said that officers had taken the names and addresses of some of the individuals involved.

The spokeswoman added: "If sufficient evidence is found to what in effect is a breach of the peace, the offender may well find themselves being arrested.