Shopkeepers today told of their terror as more than 100 youths went on the rampage letting off fireworks before smashing up phone boxes, bus shelters and shops.
Worried motorists driving along London Road through Tarpots, in Benfleet, called the police after bottles and fireworks were launched at their vehicles.
Extra police officers were drafted in to help disperse the crowd and were kept in place to patrol Benfleet over the weekend.
Shared worry - Valerie James, centre, with other worried Tarpots shopkeepers Picture: TERENCE BUNCH
The antics have come as revellers mark both Halloween and fireworks night.
Valerie James, who runs Rose Bowl florists, in London Road, said: "The whole area was like a war zone, it was really frightening.
"There has been an ongoing problem with youths hanging about at night at Tarpots but Halloween night was something else all together, it was chaos."
Mrs James told how the youths were letting off fireworks across the road and throwing eggs and flour at nearby properties before climbing onto the roof of the Co-Op store.
The shopkeepers, who had taken the extreme measure of not selling eggs in the run-up to Halloween, are now fearful about what is going to happen on the official fireworks night tomorrow.
Two youngsters needed treatment after pranksters hurled eggs at them in Southend, catching them in the face. One of them suffered eye damage.
Published Monday November 4, 2002
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