Brexit-related disorder coupled with Halloween antisocial behaviour could result in serious challenges for police on what is already one of their busiest days of the year, experts have warned.



The period covering the run-up to Halloween and through to Bonfire Night is one of the most challenging times of the year for frontline police officers. This fortnight is known in policing circles as “Autumn Nights” and typically sees a spike in crime and antisocial behaviour — as well as increased attacks on police officers.

Chris Hobbs, a retired Met police officer with experience in public order policing, told BuzzFeed News that this tradition, coupled with any fallout from Brexit whether or not Britain leaves the EU on Oct. 31 could be “very unpleasant”.

“Whoever decided on the 31st as a good day to leave [the EU] clearly has no idea of the concept of policing whatsoever,” he told BuzzFeed News. The date was agreed between former prime minister and home secretary Theresa May and EU leaders.

“It’s probably the busiest night of the year I imagine, probably even busier than Mad Friday, the Friday before Christmas,” Hobbs continued. “The yobs seem to feel that Autumn Nights, as the police call it, gives them a licence to do as they please. What you get is a lot of crime and antisocial behaviour, and attacks on police officers, [it is] a week of intense police activity in terms of responding to calls.”

“It’s the most lawless time of year that police have to deal with, so when you put Brexit on top of that it could be a very, very unpleasant time for police,” he added.

Hobbs told BuzzFeed News that seasonal antisocial behaviour centres around “Mischief Night” on Oct. 30, as well as Halloween, and can begin the weekend before Oct. 31, lasting until just after Bonfire Night on Nov. 5.

He said he expects that disorder is likely to be worse if the UK doesn’t leave the EU on Oct. 31, but that trouble is likely either way, as Brexiteers could be celebrating in the streets if Brexit goes ahead, with Remainers out in force protesting. Hobbs added that for police officers, “operating in darkness is always far more difficult,” so the protests will potentially be harder to manage than those that took place in March.

