Welshpool youth fined £80 for Halloween egg attack

A youth has been slapped with an £80 fine for pelting a woman with eggs during a Halloween attack in Welshpool, police said today.

The youth was tracked down by officers after the incident which has left local residents outraged.

Constable Lyndsey Sweetman, of Welshpool Police, said officers would target those responsible for such behaviour.

She said: "Welshpool Police have dealt with a male youth by way of an £80 fine for his behaviour on the night of Halloween, when he threw an egg at a local vulnerable woman, causing her harassment and distress.

"This demonstrates positive action taken by Welshpool Neighbourhood Policing Team in tackling anti-social behaviour, which is a current priority for the town. There is a minority in the town who continue to flout the law in relation to anti-social behaviour and we encourage members of the community to report all incidents to us."

Welshpool Mayor, Councillor Estelle Bleivas, is calling for tougher punishments on people responsible for anti-social behaviour.

She said: "I was informed of this incident yesterday evening and I have already had people come up to me outraged, saying the punishment does not fit the crime.

"Welshpool Police are doing a really superb job, especially in their campaign against anti-social behaviour, but I feel they should have made an example of him as this is awful behaviour that we do not wish to see in this town.

"I feel so sorry for the lady who was targeted and I hear she is not the first victim of an attack like this. We should all report anything we know to Welshpool Police who, under Sergeant Darren Brown, are doing a great job in cracking down on this type of behaviour."

Dyfed Powys Police said that Halloween and Bonfire Night had otherwise both passed relatively incident free, and praised the majority of youngsters who enjoyed the festivities.

Community patrols were increased and the sale of eggs and flour to youngsters was banned over the period.

Inspector Diane Davies, of Dyfed Powys Police, said: "There were large amounts of people out and about and generally the atmosphere was fun and people behaved themselves."

By Andrew Morris