An arrest was made in Billericay while police officers were deployed across Essex last night as yobs took advantage of Halloween to cause trouble.

Essex Police teams were busy last night responding to anti social behaviour and fireworks incidents.

A boy was arrested in Billericay on suspicion of theft and two assaults, as well as possession of a class B drug.

Dispersal orders were also issued across Harlow, Epping Forest and Witham yesterday to "further prevent members of the public being harassed, alarmed or distressed" by the behaviour of a "small minority" on Halloween.

A spokesman for Essex Police's operational support group team shared on X: "We have deployed officers all across Essex tonight and we are busy responding to anti social behaviour and fireworks incidents.

"At one incident in Billericay we have arrested a juvenile male for possession of class B, two assaults and a theft!"

An Essex Police force control room spokesman said the force received a "large number" of 999 calls about the misuse of fireworks throughout Essex last night, and other residents were asked to help them respond to these urgent calls by using the force's website to report non-urgent matters.