THE number of reports of anti-social behaviour in and around Newport and the Gwent area increased slightly during Hallowe'en week, figures have revealed.

But, while Gwent Police revealed that they didn’t experience any “significant issues”, on October 31, or Hallowe'en, they were unable to say if any instances of anti-social behaviour reported to the force during this period related to the holiday.

That being said, the week leading up to the big night, and the day after, saw 248 instances of anti-social behaviour (ASB) reported to the force, which covers the entire region.

Compared to the same week – October 25 through to November 1, there was a slight increase in reports this year compared to 2020.

That year, there were 240 cases reported.

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To some extent, it is something of a surprise that the figures weren’t more different, considering the radically different Covid-19 lockdown restrictions in 2020 compared to this year.

That same week last year was in the middle of Wales’s firebreak lockdown.

During that time, gatherings were banned, and so to was all non-essential travel.

One specific measure put in place by the Welsh Government was: that “no gatherings will be allowed outdoors, such as Hallowe'en or fireworks/Bonfire night or other organised activities”.

But, despite the loosening of restrictions this year, there was no real shift in the number of ASB reports made in the area.

While the figures in 2020 and 2021 have remained similar, they are both much lower than the previous year – well before covid emerged as a threat to everyday life.

In 2019, Gwent Police received a total of 328 reports of anti-social behaviour during the week of October 25 – November 1.

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What have police said?

A Gwent Police spokeswoman said: “We don’t have a separate category just for Hallowe'en calls in relation to ASB, this would be the normal category of ASB and any other crime.

“However I have checked with our local contacts and we didn’t experience any significant issues.

“We’d like to thank those who acted responsibly, keeping our communities safe, while enjoying themselves.

“In the run up to Bonfire Night we are reminding people to again, enjoy yourselves safely, be mindful of others and act responsibly.”