Police last night warned a person could be killed or seriously injured if Hallowe'en again erupts in violence.

On Tuesday night officers dealt with 43 incidents ranging from egg throwing to molotov cocktails being hurled at property and even a Policeman.

Last night they said they were "very disappointed'' with the number and type of incident they were called to deal with.

"It is unfortunate that there were still people who refused to take heed and help preserve this celebration by curbing their behaviour,'' said Police spokesman Insp. Roseanda Jones.

"Regrettably because of them, and they are just a few, there is an indication that Hallowe'en may be cancelled.

"Alternative steps will be required before someone is seriously hurt or killed as a result of some of the foolishness which was displayed.'' Extra officers were drafted onto duty on the night -- virtually "swamping'' the Island with a Police presence.

However, officers were hit with bottles, molotov cocktails were thrown and at least one member of the public hit by a golf ball.

Hundreds of young children, with parents, thronged the streets -- as gangs of youths wandered around, dressed in Hallowe'en masks and throwing missiles and in one case apparently setting fire to the road surface with petrol.

One woman, who lives near Happy Valley, in Pembroke, said her husband was struck in the chest with a metal pipe by a group of some 20 youths dressed in black.

The attack happened around 9 p.m. on Tuesday as her husband was walking to the end of the block. She said he received a bruise to his chest and his right arm was "split open''. A window of the couple's car was also smashed.

They reported the incident to Police and 10 officers arrived, but she was critical of their actions alleging they did not have a notebook or anything to write with and were more concerned with damage to the car, than her husband.

"They were not worried about him,'' she said. "It became a social event.

they stood for 20 minutes, laughing and talking.'' Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness has called for a report from the Police on the incidents during Tuesday night. He had threatened to ban Hallowe'en celebrations if there was widespread hooliganism.

Last night he said Government viewed what happened seriously.

"It was the molotov cocktails that really disturbed me,'' he said. "I spoke to the Police about that and they too thought it was extremely serious.

"I am not anxious to ban the night for young people, but I do feel that we as a community have to talk about the matter further and I am hoping there will be an opportunity to do that.'' The majority of trouble flared up in the central parishes with 25 incidents, including the most serious, taking place in the area.

Most trouble seemed to occur between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., but most involved damage to property and no-one was injured. Altogether six people ranging in age from 16 to 20 were arrested.