Police have described a major operation to target Halloween yobs in Oxford as a success.

Extra officers were out on the streets to combat teenagers armed with eggs, flour and tomatoes looking to ruin Halloween for residents.

The number of criminal damage incidents linked with Halloween dropped compared to last year.

The Oxford Mail joined the Headington Neighbourhood Policing team as they carried out a high-visibility crackdown on yobs.

Within minutes, the officers were called to a home in Ouseley Close in Marston after receiving reports of about 15 youths throwing eggs.

A woman resident said: "Part of me thinks just close the curtains, ignore it and wait till the morning when my house is covered in eggs. But why should I? I shouldn't have to do that."

Elsewhere across the city there were reports of fireworks being put through letter boxes, bins being set alight and youths roaming the streets armed with eggs.

Cars were also being targeted as flour was hurled from a bridge above the bypass near Littlemore.

The Headington team also went to Shotover Park where a group of youths were trying to set off fireworks.

Officers made two arrests for drink driving and issued two cautions for possession of cannabis.

But across the city, the number of antisocial behaviour incidents connected with Halloween fell slightly.

There were six reports of criminal damage to cars and nine to houses, compared to six and 13 respectively last year.

Sgt Yak Teladia said: "Due to the number of police officers and PCSOs out on the streets patrolling on Halloween, we have stopped a number of incidents occurring and curbed much of the antisocial behaviour.

"I think it has been a great success and in the process there have been other arrests for drugs and drink driving - which shows what happens when when we have police officers on the streets."

As reported in yesterday's Oxford Mail, the most serious incident saw a family of four flee to safety after a yob put a lit firework in their kitchen in Ramsay Road, Headington, while they were asleep.

Police launched an arson investigation and fire crews said the family were lucky to be alive.

Eggs were thrown at homes in Sorrell Road in Blackbird Leys, Fane Road in Marston and Oxford Road in Horspath.

A firework was posted through the letter box in Little Bury, Greater Leys, and a window was smashed in Kersington Crescent in Cowley.

Yobs also chucked eggs, flour and vinegar at a home in Blackbird Leys Road and a glass bottle was thrown through a window in Briar Way, Blackbird Leys.

A car and a bus were damaged in Blackbird Leys and vehicles were attacked in Marston, Iffley, Barton and Wood Farm.

Last year, Halloween antics led to cars being rolled over and a pumpkin being hurled through a window.

This year, shops were also warned not to sell eggs, flour and tomatoes to youths.