Five Halloween events championed community spirit in Millbrook as groups came together to give children an alternative to anti-social behaviour for the third consecutive year.

After a spree of crime in 2021 where gangs of 20 to 30 youths flipped cars in Maybush, authorities have joined forces in an initiative started by Kathy Iason and Tracey Emm of the Millbrook Matters Facebook group.

"People didn't [used to] want to go out on Halloween," explained Kathy.

"We thought safety is a huge thing, so we put on something for the kids to enjoy where mums and dads can all go out together.

"It's nice to be out this time of night and hear kids giggling, and families walking together down the road. 

Millbrook Matters' Tracey Emm and Kathy Iason at All Saints Church. (Image: Newsquest) The duo spend a couple of months each year organising events which have received support from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Violence Reduction Unit and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner among other agencies. 

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Tracey and Kathy suggested that as these events grow, they could bring the community spirit on days other than just Halloween.

Colne Avenue Baptist Church and All Saints Church played host to events catered for younger children, with crafts, treasure hunts and free hot dogs on offer.

All Saints Church held activities for younger children which included arts and crafts in a safe space.All Saints Church held activities for younger children which included arts and crafts in a safe space. (Image: Newsquest) The MP3 Building at Mansel Park - which has just undergone eight months of renovation - hosted children inside but also worked with the Saints Foundation to provide football sessions.

"Partnership is key in this," said Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Terry Norton.

"Giving these young people somewhere to belong is something that is probably missing in modern society.

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Terry Norton at Testlands Wellbeing Hub.Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Terry Norton at Testlands Wellbeing Hub. (Image: Newsquest) "We're turning off lights in parks, there are signs on shops that say only one child in the shop, I think it's fair to say that some young people, they struggle to say where they belong."

In previous years, police put dispersal orders in place over Halloween to give officers the power to order a person to leave the area with no return.

No orders were put in place for 2024, though Southampton Chief Inspector Chris Douglas said they could be "activated if they need to be."

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Inspector Douglas said on the Millbrook events: "Halloween, there's high spirits, so let's give young people something to do with some good role models and people to look up to.

"Partners have worked together to see what we can do around diversion and to give opportunities for children, so that they've got a choice not to maraud and break the law."

Children's charity Testlands ran the fifth event, which brought bouncy castles, a disco and a scare maze for teenage children.

The eventful evening was topped off with the reveal of a new mosaic in the Testlands Wellbeing Hub, unveiled by Southampton Children's Mayor Freya Orendecki.

The 10-year-old pulled back the curtain to reveal new artwork made in collaboration with Will "Mr Mosaic" Rosie.

Children and young adults worked on the mosaic together on a project that also became 'refuge' for stressed staff to unwind with.

Luke Newman, co-founder of Testlands, said: "It represents years [of hard work]. Having something pictural in the centre of where we are in the heart of our building is quite an amazing thing to do. 

Testlands' Halloween event was ticketed and originally only 500 slots were allocated, but these sold out in just one hour.