A police operation tackling anti-social behaviour in Hertsmere at Halloween has won a county-wide award.

Operation Reckless helped reduce criminal damage by more than 40 per cent during a period widely-recognised as a time for increased violence among younger people.Officers who worked on the scheme have now been awarded Hertfordshire Constabulary's Mark Fogarty problem solving award, in recognition of their efforts.On October 31 itself there was an 83 per cent decrease in violent crime compared to Halloween 2006.Police Constable Sue Taylor, youth crime reduction officer; anti-social behaviour case worker Amy Jeffrey; and PCSO Ross Paybody organised activities such as free Xergaming at The Venue, Elstree Way, to keep young people off the streets and prevent them from becoming victims of crime.They also visited schools to give assemblies alongside Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service representatives, and worked with shopkeepers to prohibit the sale of eggs and flour to youngsters.Across the period covering Halloween and November 5, anti-social behaviour was cut by 24 per cent overall, criminal damage fell 54 per cent, and violent crime was down by 17 per cent.PC Taylor said: "These kind of programmes serve to help us build relationships with young people and get them involved in positive activities. "The young people who came along had a fantastic time and were extremely well behaved and got into the spirit of things."Ms Jeffrey said: "It was great to see the young people not only getting to know us, but also forging friendships with each other that will hopefully continue. "Schemes like this are invaluable at preventing young people from becoming both victims and offenders during that time and in the future."The scheme marked the first collaboration between different agencies to tackle Halloween violence and will now be repeated across the county this year.