Crackdown on bad behavior (From Gazette Series)

Crackdown on bad behavior

Top tips for Halloween - in fact box

Do not answer your door after dark unless you are expecting a caller.

Parents should supervise their children and make sure they know how to behave.

It is a good idea for parents to accompany their children when trick or treating. Children are vulnerable too.

Display the poster in your window telling people you do not want trick or treaters calling.

PEOPLE who engage in anti-social behaviour during Halloween are being warned they could face an £80 fine.

Police in the Cotswolds and Stroud area say they will be cracking down on the nuisance behaviour sometimes associated with October 31, including the throwing of eggs and flour.

Fines will be issued for a variety of offences including being drunk and disorderly and criminal damage. Police hope this direct and tough approach will reduce the number of incidents reported on the night.

Last year Gloucestershire police force received 110 reports of eggs or other missiles being thrown at cars, houses, shops and people, and 104 complaints about youngsters causing a nuisance.

This year officers will be visiting grocery shops in the run up to Halloween asking them not to sell eggs and flour to children under the age of 18.

Police are also distributing a poster for people to display in their windows in an effort to stop trick or treaters calling where they are not wanted.

Force crime reduction officer PC Paul Francis said: "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."

On Halloween night itself, Gloucestershire Constabulary will be carrying out high visibility patrols across the county to reduce anti-social behaviour even more.

If you do not want trick or treaters to call at your house this Halloween simply cut out the poster printed on this page and display it in your window or on your front door.