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Mischief Night vandals cause chaos across Merseyside Mischief Night vandals cause chaos across Merseyside
(about 4 hours later)
Firefighters have been targeted by youths throwing fireworks and widespread damage has been reported across Merseyside on Mischief Night.Firefighters have been targeted by youths throwing fireworks and widespread damage has been reported across Merseyside on Mischief Night.
The fire service said it attended 34 deliberate fires before 23:00 GMT on Wednesday, compared to 12 last year.The fire service said it attended 34 deliberate fires before 23:00 GMT on Wednesday, compared to 12 last year.
Crews also had eggs thrown at them in Stockbridge, but there were no reports of injuries. In Cheshire, police attended 81 incidents and two police cars were damaged and taken out of service.
The Mischief Night tradition sees youths commit anti-social behaviour on the night before Halloween.The Mischief Night tradition sees youths commit anti-social behaviour on the night before Halloween.
It is thought to date from the 1700s when a custom of lawless hours or days prevailed in Britain.It is thought to date from the 1700s when a custom of lawless hours or days prevailed in Britain.
Cars were set on fire and an assisted living development under construction in Garston had its windows smashed.Cars were set on fire and an assisted living development under construction in Garston had its windows smashed.
A witness told the BBC "a big gang of lads smashed wooden barriers, broke windows and got inside" the site on King Street.A witness told the BBC "a big gang of lads smashed wooden barriers, broke windows and got inside" the site on King Street.
"The police come, fire engines come and they couldn't get anywhere near because they were bricking them then," she added."The police come, fire engines come and they couldn't get anywhere near because they were bricking them then," she added.
Fire station manager Lauren Woodward, from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, said it was "intimidating". Crews also had eggs thrown at them in Stockbridge, but there were no reports of injuries.
"It's not pleasant when you're just trying to go about your job and do your best for the community," she said. Cheshire Police said it attended 81 incidents in Halton and Warrington.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said crews had worked "tirelessly" despite being attacked. These included a vehicle being tipped on its side, buses damaged with stones and fires in children's play areas and on a boat.
Arriva said anti-social behaviour led to buses being diverted due to a large number being seriously damaged. Lauren Woodward, from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, described the atmosphere as "intimidating".
Eight people have been arrested for offences including criminal damage and public order offences, police said. Transport company Arriva said anti-social behaviour led to buses being diverted due to a large number being seriously damaged.
Supt Paddy Kelly, of Merseyside Police, said staff at the McDonald's in Walton had flour thrown at them, and there were complaints from residents in Kirkby, New Ferry and Fazakerley. Eight people have been arrested for offences including criminal damage and public order offences, Merseyside Police said.
"It is shocking that anyone would find it acceptable to put our officers, staff and partners at risk and potentially deny a member of the public the emergency service they require. Supt Paddy Kelly said staff at the McDonald's in Walton had flour thrown at them, and there were complaints from residents in Kirkby, New Ferry and Fazakerley.
"It's not big and it's not clever." "It's not big and it's not clever," he said.