Police warning over Hallowe’en behaviour

In Focus - Antisocial behaviour, the Association of Chief Police Officers’ second national awareness campaign, has been launched in line with the longer autumnal nights and ahead of Hallowe’en and Guy Fawkes’ Night.

As Halloween approaches the force is urging trick or treaters not to be a menace and think carefully and responsibly about the doors they knock on.

Officers have been giving help and advice to vulnerable and elderly residents, while anyone who does not want to be ‘trick or treated’ can download a poster to print off and display in their window.

There is also a specially created poster for schools to try to educate pupils about how to behave.

Supt Rich Fretwell, the force lead on antisocial behaviour, said: “Hallowe’en can leave vulnerable people feeling scared and worried because of uninvited trick or treating. Young people should be aware that not everyone wants to take part.

“It’s important that young people realise that dark evenings can leave some people wary of opening the doors to strangers.

“We want people to enjoy the activities that go with Hallowe’en and bonfire night – just make sure that their fun is not another person’s misery.

“On the flip side, we are aware of groups of young people hanging around in the streets and appreciate this may be intimidating to some people. However, more often than not they are doing nothing wrong. Tolerance sometimes needs to come from both sides.”

Police and Crime Commissioner, Paddy Tipping is urging people to act sensibly during this period.

He said: “For many people this is a fun-packed time of year and no-one wants to stop that. However, for others, particularly the vulnerable members of our communities, finding group of young people, whether in fancy dress or not, on their doorstep can be a terrifying experience.

“To prevent this, I hope that parents and guardians will go out trick or treating with their children, sticking to well-lit areas and only knocking on the doors of people they know. It doesn’t take much to have a little consideration for others. Trick or Treaters should look out for ‘No trick or treat’ posters and leave those properties alone.

“We also have Bonfire Night coming up, with many people planning to attend events this weekend and the following days. For their own, and other peoples’ safety, I hope that people remember that fireworks can be very dangerous if handled irresponsibly. It’s also worth bearing in mind that letting off fireworks near the road is actually a criminal offence.”