Police advice on Halloween

With Halloween upon us, the Police have issued advice to tricksters, treaters and householders.
For fun and safety, trick or treating is always better in groups of friends. Don't split up into smaller groups.

Younger children should only go 'Trick or treating' when supervised by an adult. Stay with them.
Think road safety! You should wear bright and reflective costumes to ensure you are visible to road users. Take a torch or glow stick with you.

Plan a safe route that is well lit and stick to it. Unsupervised children should have a time set for their return. Don't take short cuts through gardens, alleyways or parks.

Only go to houses where you or your friends know the residents or homes that display a ‘Trick or Treating Welcome Here' Halloween pumpkin. Never call at homes after 9pm.

Never go into a stranger's house even if you are invited – stay on the doorstep.
Don't demand money and be grateful for ANY treats. Ask your parents or guardian to check your treats before you eat them.

Don't vandalise anything or throw things like eggs, flour or paint at people, houses or animals, it could be classed as criminal damage or assault and a night of fun could end up with you being in trouble with the police.

Report any suspicious or criminal activity to the Police.
Remember large groups of young people can be very intimidating. Think about how your behaviour affects others. If you wouldn't want it done to your Parents or grandparents, don't do it to anyone else.

Extra advice to parents and guardians:

Please be aware where your children are at all times and be sure you know what they are doing.
Respect people's right not to accept ‘Trick or Treating. This activity is not part of traditional British culture and can be offensive to some people.

Make sure your children understand that they should not call at addresses after 9pm.
Please encourage your children to engage in a positive activity on this night. Halloween is not an excuse for loutish behaviour and the normal threshold test of what isn't acceptable still applies. Please don't allow your children to take eggs and flour out of the house.

Unsupervised trick or treaters have an increased risk of coming to harm or getting in trouble with police for excessive behaviour. For a fun and safe Halloween it is better that all trick or treaters are supervised.

Police time spent dealing with incidents caused by unsupervised children on Halloween impacts massively on our ability to fight crime and provide a service to those in real need. Don't let your children's behaviour be the reason we are unable to respond to an emergency call.

Please encourage your children to engage in a positive activity on this night. Halloween is not an excuse for loutish behaviour and the normal threshold test of what isn't acceptable still applies. Please don't allow your children to take eggs and flour out of the house.

Unsupervised trick or treaters have an increased risk of coming to harm or getting in trouble with police for excessive behaviour. For a fun and safe Halloween it is better that all trick or treaters are supervised.

Police time spent dealing with incidents caused by unsupervised children on Halloween impacts massively on our ability to fight crime and provide a service to those in real need. Don't let your children's behaviour be the reason we are unable to respond to an emergency call.

Please encourage your children to engage in a positive activity on this night. Halloween is not an excuse for loutish behaviour and the normal threshold test of what isn't acceptable still applies. Please don't allow your children to take eggs and flour out of the house.

Unsupervised trick or treaters have an increased risk of coming to harm or getting in trouble with police for excessive behaviour. For a fun and safe Halloween it is better that all trick or treaters are supervised.

Police time spent dealing with incidents caused by unsupervised children on Halloween impacts massively on our ability to fight crime and provide a service to those in real need. Don't let your children's behaviour be the reason we are unable to respond to an emergency call.

Please encourage your children to engage in a positive activity on this night. Halloween is not an excuse for loutish behaviour and the normal threshold test of what isn't acceptable still applies. Please don't allow your children to take eggs and flour out of the house.

Unsupervised trick or treaters have an increased risk of coming to harm or getting in trouble with police for excessive behaviour. For a fun and safe Halloween it is better that all trick or treaters are supervised.

Police time spent dealing with incidents caused by unsupervised children on Halloween impacts massively on our ability to fight crime and provide a service to those in real need. Don't let your children's behaviour be the reason we are unable to respond to an emergency call.