THE number of emergency calls to Suffolk and Essex police forces rocketed at the weekend as some Hallowe’en celebrations got out of control.

Suffolk Constabulary reported being busier than usual and Inspector Chris Wolton said: “We were above average for the number of events on Saturday.

“We had 15 firework-related calls and eight that were directly associated with Hallowe’en.

“Another factor could have been the fact it was payday for a number of people.”

Last night trick or treaters attacked a disabled man in Corton Road, Ipswich, pushing him from his wheelchair and leaving him in need of hospital treatment.

Essex Police reported a 25% increase in calls compared to the previous week.

A force spokesman said: “Hallowe’en figures are normally given between the times of 6pm to 9pm.

“Between these times on Saturday we had 144 calls compared to 115 on the previous Saturday, October 23.”

Hallowe’en celebrations have been bigger than ever this year with shops dedicating whole sections to fancy dress outfits, decorations and trick or treat novelties.

Bars around the region hosted themed evenings and revellers wore gruesome outfits as they headed into town centres in both counties.

Suffolk police last week warned those celebrating Hallowe’en to take care and ensure that they did not disturb the elderly and vulnerable.

With Guy Fawkes Night just around the corner, some revellers turned their attentions to bonfire parties and let off the first of this year’s fireworks.

The Essex County Fire and Rescue Service reported one major incident involving fireworks being pushed through letter boxes in Tilbury on Saturday.

A spokesman said: “We will be on heightened alert next weekend, we usually get a lot of calls from people reporting fires that are nothing more than bonfires, but we have not had anything serious over bonfire weekend for a few years.”