Assistant Police Commissioner Alan Bissell revealed 200 officers would be on duty on October 31.

He said the Police -- both in uniform and plain clothes -- would identify trouble hot spots in a bid to clamp down on violent incidents.

Just 20 crime outbreaks marked last year's Hallowe'en.

And parents are again being recruited to join the patrols to pick out known offenders and stop fright night antics from getting out of control.

Police have already become "bobbies on the buses'' in the run up to Hallowe'en.

The Public Transportation Board has handed out bus passes for parents and plain-clothes officers who will board the buses during morning and evening school trips.

Uniformed officers will also travel on some services as a high-profile deterrent to troublemakers.

The move comes in response to a series of egg-throwing incidents which have disrupted rush hour bus services.

Mr. Bissell said all schools had now fallen under the spotlight -- and problems were not worst at CedarBridge, despite a string of recent controversial incidents centring on the school.

He added that Police had met with the CedarBridge parent-teacher association and would meet with more PTAs.

"We want to get across the message of safety,'' said Mr. Bissell. "So the Police are putting people on the buses and parents are putting people on the buses.

"This will happen from now until Hallowe'en. The problem seems to have receded so far, probably as a result of the parents' actions.

"Police on board will be able to take action immediately to stop any trouble that starts.

"They will also follow the bus right to the schools to pinpoint the troublemakers.

"The idea is that this will be a deterrent.'' He said Police were adopting the same "deterrent tactics'' on Hallowe'en night, stepping up mobile patrols and highlighting known trouble spots.

Older youths wearing Hallowe'en masks will find themselves subject to questioning, he added.

"There's a difference between a seven or a ten-year-old wearing a mask and a 16 or a 17-year-old,'' said Mr. Bissell.

"Our aim isn't to go out and lock people up, but obviously we will be looking for anything suspicious.

"It's not even that we anticipate trouble, either. Last year it was relatively quiet and there were only 20 incidents.

"We also want to stress that the trouble is caused by only a minority of people. They are the ones who upset the apple cart for the rest.

"It clearly is only a small proportion of the population who get involved in unruly activities.'' Mr. Bissell said vital safety tips for a fun Hallowe'en included: Never allowing young children to go Trick-or-Treating on their own.

Walking single file and wearing reflective clothing.

Use sidewalks and be careful crossing.

After dark wear light or reflective clothing and carry flashlight.

Have fun, but but don't do anything dangerous that could ruin the fun for others.

Wait until you get home before eating candies.

Inspect all candies before you eat them.

Turn on outside lights and keep the house well illuminated.

Walk on the side of the road facing the traffic so you can see what is approaching.

Wear light coloured clothing a reflective vest and carry a flashlight -- see and be seen.

Watch out for other people who may be causing trouble and be sure to avoid them.

Walk on well lit roads and avoid dark areas.

Make sure you can see through your mask -- you may have to take it off while you are walking on the road.

Watch out for dogs in gardens and yards.

Be careful not to frighten young children and elderly people.

Remember, Hallowe'en is meant to be fun -- don't spoil it for others by doing anything dangerous.