MISCHIEF Night nuisance calls in the Richmondshire area were halved after a major policing operation.

Dubbed Operation Imp, the crackdown, led by the local community safety team, saw extra patrols across the area.

Backed by the fire service, Military Police and special constables, they patrolled the towns and villages in the area.

"The idea was to speak to children before they did anything," said Police Sergeant Richard O'Neil.

"We were successful in that the number of calls about Mischief Night nuisance were down by more than half on last year's total. In 2003 we received a dozen calls from the public, this year there were only three."