Mischief Night: 'It's like the Purge - an excuse for disgraceful behaviour'
People across Merseyside were appalled by petty vandalism which caused bus services to be delayed and cancelled on Mischief Night. People said buses were attacked, car windows smashed and fireworks thrown in what several people likened to horror film 'The Purge'.
Mischief Night, which used to be on November 4 but in recent decades has moved to October 30, was recorded as early as the 1830s. Back then pranks such as swapping shopkeepers' signs or throwing cabbage stalks at neighbours were the norm, but things have become a lot more sinister since then.
Though police put in place multiple dispersal zones throughout Merseyside, including Sefton, south Liverpool, and Liverpool city centre in an effort to deter antisocial behaviour, acts of vandalism were witnessed across the region. Buses were diverted due to antisocial behaviour, with some services being cancelled for the rest of the evening.
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In Birkenhead, Stagecoach services 41 and 42 to Woodchurch were cancelled completely at around 8pm due to "multiple incidents". Elsewhere, buses were subject to delays and cancellations.
The Arriva 61 service in West Derby Village was "withdrawn" until the end of service, instead operating via Barnfield Drive, Queens Drive and Muirhead Avenue in both directions. In Huyton, services eight and nine were diverted from Woolfall Heath Road until the end of service.
People living in Garston likened the night to being a "warzone" with gangs running wild, setting bins on fire, throwing bricks at cars and setting fireworks off. One person who lives in the area told the ECHO it was gangs of around 15 to 20 youths causing mayhem.
The neighbour said police and the fire service did attend, however when they left the area trouble started again. Gangs started the mayhem at around 3pm and lasted until around 11.30pm.
She said: "Last year was bad, but I think being half term it was worse and that's why it was worse this year. It started early on and so we knew we were in for a bad night."
Responding to an ECHO Facebook post about Mischief Night, many readers condemned the acts of vandalism they witnessed. Annie Sharpes said: "Used to be fun in the 70s and 80s, now it's just an excuse to terrorise, vandalise and intimidate people and motorists."
Maxine Pearson said: "Never had this when I was growing up in the 60s. Just an excuse for vandalism now it seems to me." A third wrote: "One night they're smashing windows the next knocking on the same house for free sweets."
Some experienced antisocial behaviour first-hand. A bus driver said he was shot at by a BB gun during his shift. He said: "Bus I was driving got shot by a ball bearing gun in Norris Green!! Gave me a new one, been egged twice!" Another added: "We've just had fireworks thrown at our windows."
Some even called for people to go back to throwing flour and eggs. Sharon Winsor said: "It’s not mischievous it’s vandalism and the drivers of them buses lives can be at risk and they are also trying to get to keep their passengers safe. This behaviour is not acceptable tell them mischievous people to throw eggs and flour at each other."
Some said the responsibility lies with the parents. One reader said: "About time these parents got a grip of the ratty kids they bring to the world." Another wrote: "Parents need to get a grip of their kids no such thing as mischievous night it's pure vandalism on people's and businesses property, nothing more nothing less." A third added: "It's like the purge. An excuse for disgraceful behaviour."
In a post about their dispersal orders, which are in placed from tonight until the evening after Halloween, a Merseyside police spokesperson said: "Anyone who wishes to report anti-social or criminal behaviour can contact @MerPolCC, 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 in an emergency.
"Always call 999 if a crime is in progress. You can pass any information on anti-social behaviour via our social media desk @MerPolCC on Twitter or 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook."
An Arriva spokesperson said “We have had a number of instances of antisocial behaviour during the evening of Wednesday, October 30, which resulted in some services having to be temporally diverted. We do not tolerate any incidents of antisocial behaviour. We work closely with Travel-Safe to alleviate the poor behaviour and all incidents have been reported to the police and CCTV has been downloaded.
“Safety is of paramount importance, and we would like to thank our customers for their patience and our drivers for their professionalism during this challenging evening”