POLICE patrols in Eastleigh have been stepped up to stop teenage tearaways from terrorising the town on Guy Fawkes night.

This move follows the mayhem which broke out on Hallowe'en when the police switchboard was flooded with calls from the public angered by the behaviour of teenagers.

Yobs playing with fireworks in the borough's streets launched rockets at houses.

In Avon Gardens, Eastleigh a group of trick or treating 16 to 17-year-olds were turned away from a home and responded by hurling beer cans at the house and the owner's car.

Yobs on Hiltingbury Recreation Ground pelted passing buses and cars with eggs and in Cuckoo Bushes Lane, Chandler's Ford a car window was smashed.

Extra police officers were drafted in for the night but the force was still overstretched and there are now fears of a repeat tomorrow night.

Sergeant Andy Lupton said: "We are putting more patrols out which are going to be on the streets around bonfire night. Fireworks are being let off in the street causing damage and nuisance.

"In a number of cases we can link alcohol and juvenile trouble as a consistent theme. We believe that the people involved are around 14 to 18-years-old.

"We are disappointed at the behaviour of these people who highjacked the traditional Hallowe'en trick or treating and as a consequence the residents of the borough had to put up with yobbish behaviour.

"Units at Hedge End and Romsey were stretched to the limit over Hallowe'en even though we were using additional resources. Trick or treating has to be for young children accompanied by adults, this goes beyond that and invites problems."