Tackling trick or treaters (From Gazette Series)

Tackling trick or treaters

A CASE in Cam of pranksters letting down the tyres of a car belonging to a disabled man has prompted police to run a poster campaign to tackle the anti-social behaviour often associated with Halloween.

Every year from early October onwards police receive numerous reports from people complaining about trick or treaters causing a nuisance in the area.

The incidents, many involving eggs being thrown at people, vehicles or houses, can be particularly distressing for the elderly, who find it upsetting to be called on after dark in their homes.

This year the force is distributing 10,000 posters countywide for people to display by their front doors in an effort to stop trick or treaters in their tracks.

Force crime reduction officer Paul Francis said: "Trick or treating can seem like great fun to the young people doing it, but we receive lots of calls every year, particularly from the elderly, who don't find it fun at all.

"While many trick or treaters are very well behaved and courteous to the people they call on, there are a minority who use Halloween as an excuse to carry out what actually amount to criminal offences.

"We also need to stress to the parents of the young people trick or treating the need to supervise their activities and tell them how to behave.

"It's also a good idea for adults to accompany their children when they are trick or treating, as children are making themselves quite vulnerable by going out without adults late at night."

The posters will be available through local police stations, health centres, and other agencies concerned with the vulnerable.