Hallowe'en hooliganism struck Bermuda last night, with Police stretched to cope with dozens of incidents.

And despite appeals for a trouble-free celebration, teenage thugs caused trouble across the Island.

The Fire Service was plagued with false alarms -- and dealt with several acts of arson, with palm trees and even a motorbike being torched by vandals.

Palm trees in Hamilton's Elliott Street and Canal Street were set alight and a motorbike was found ablaze in Shelton Road, Pembroke.

A pedestrian was hit by a golf ball thrown by one of a gang of around 20 youths, dressed mostly in black and wearing masks and hoods, near Hamilton's City Hall.

Several taxi drivers reported windows on their cabs being smashed. And there were reports of Police cars being hit by bottles and rocks.

Last night a Police spokesman said: "We always give advice and we hope the public will heed it.

"Most do, but there are those who have chosen to ignore it -- it's extremely disappointing.

"There have been numerous incidents of large groups of people throwing eggs, rocks and bottles at passing vehicles.'' Extra officers were drafted in for what has become one of the busiest nights in the Police calendar.

In St. George's there were two arrests, one of a teenager who lobbed a molotov cocktail at a Policeman. The officer escaped injury.

Hamilton saw five arrests for attempted theft and possession of prohibited weapons.

Yesterday Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness warned that traditional trick or treat celebrations could be axed if there was widespread hooliganism.

Last night he added: "If revellers have carried on and damaged property and acted in a manner which was upsetting to the community, that could mean the community wishing to ban the activities which take place on trick or treat night.

"But if's a lot of fun for the children and most people wouldn't like to see it banned -- what we do is depends on whether the community are prepared to allow it to continue.

"I am very disappointed if people have not been responsible and not respectful of other people's property.

"It's a shame if some people have not heeded the message responsible community leaders have put out for them and decided to be disrespectful and cause trouble.'' Mr. Edness said he would be calling for reports of the night and discussing the future of the Hallowe'en celebrations with Cabinet colleagues and community leaders before making any firm decisions.

UP IN SMOKE -- Firefighters examine a burned cycle in Pembroke last night.