Hampshire Constabulary is urging people who do not want to be disturbed by trick or treaters this Halloween to display a ‘No Trick or Treat’ poster at their front door.
The poster can be downloaded and printed from the Hampshire Constabulary website.
Every year Hampshire Constabulary’s force control room receives calls from people who have been frightened or disturbed by trick or treaters in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Special Constables will be out on patrol on Friday, October 31, 2008 to give support to their regular colleagues. This year Halloween and Bonfire Night are both covered by National Specials Week which runs from Friday, October 31 to Thursday, 6 November.
Some advice for the elderly or vulnerable members of our community staying home this Halloween:
- If you do not know who is calling at your house you do not need to open the door
- Try to see who is at the door by looking through a spy hole or window before opening the door
- If you have a chain on your door – keep this in place when opening the door
- If you feel threatened in your home please contact police.
Police advice to children and their parents is to be mindful that some of the more vulnerable or elderly members of the community do not wish to participate in Halloween activities and in fact may feel intimidated by groups of people calling at their doors.
Local shops are also displaying posters, reminding shoppers that eggs or flour will not be sold to under 18s in the days leading up to Friday, October 31.
Hampshire Constabulary has prepared some advice for children and their parents:
- If your child is going outside in a costume – make sure they are wearing reflective clothing or add reflective tape to their clothes.
- Carry a torch and consider road safety at all times.
- If your child is going out trick or treating – make sure they go out in a group preferably accompanied by an adult.
- Older children should let you know where they are going and what time they will be back.
- Children should carry a mobile phone in pockets or bags
- Make sure your children know not to enter anyone’s house or to accept lifts from strangers. .
