POLICE in Buntingford have praised the town s young people after both Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night passed with no instances of anti-social behaviour. Neighbourhood Sergeant Duncan Wallace said: Both these evenings have traditionally caused problems for

POLICE in Buntingford have praised the town's young people after both Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night passed with no instances of anti-social behaviour.

Neighbourhood Sergeant Duncan Wallace said: "Both these evenings have traditionally caused problems for us, particularly Halloween, but we didn't have any trouble this year.

"Sometimes we are quick to lambaste the youth of the town when they transgress. We don't want people to get the impression that Buntingford is twinned with Kabul.

"It was good to see people of all ages enjoying these events in a positive manner," he said.

The police put several measures in place to ensure that both evenings went smoothly.

These included a PCSO liaising directly with the towns' schools, and a high visibility presence on duty in Buntingford on Guy Fawkes Night and Halloween.

Several shops put up signs and agreed not to sell flour or eggs to under-21's in the run up to Halloween.

Sgt Wallace said: "The stores were very helpful. On the night itself we barely collected enough eggs to make an omelette."

Town Clerk Jill Jones said: "Young people often get a bad press so it was good to see that on both these occasions their behaviour was exemplary."

Meanwhile, Buntingford Youth Council is appealing for more youngsters to send in consent forms if they want a direct bus service between the town and Stevenage.

As reported in The Crow in September, the youth council has arranged for a bus to run directly from Buntingford High Street to Stevenage Leisure Park on Friday nights.

However, this will not begin until there is enough confirmed interest in using the service.

Mrs Jones said: "We sent out consent forms to students at Freman College, and to Year 8 pupils at Edwinstree School, and so far the response has been disappointing.

"I don't think it is the schools' fault. The forms have been distributed, but we need the children to pass them on to their parents and get them signed.

"It's a shame because this is something a lot of young people said they wanted.

"We have everything in place and are raring to go, but we can't start until more people confirm that they will use the bus," she said.

When the service does start, it will leave Buntingford at about 7pm and return at 11pm.

The youth council is also looking into starting a bus to the regular under-18 night held at Liquid Nightclub in Stevenage.