Avon and Somerset Police say they're working to make sure the seasonal fun of Halloween and Bonfire Night passes off safely.
In Avon and Somerset they've been working hard to help everyone understand that the majority of people going trick or treating are out to have fun without any intention of causing trouble to anyone, while people who choose not to take part in the spooky festivities should have their wishes respected.
The Police have seen a fall in the number of complaints year on year, with fewer than 500 calls to our 999 number at Halloween in each of the past two years, a decrease of 60 per cent compared with 2009.
Chief Superintendent Nikki Watson, who leads the force’s response to anti-social behaviour, said:
'This year neighbourhood policing teams across the Avon and Somerset policing area will be rolling out well-rehearsed plans to discourage people from nuisance behaviour in the first place, while dealing robustly with any incidents that do happen.
'Once again, we’ll have extra staff on duty answering 101 and emergency calls, plus officers patrolling areas where we’ve had problems before and responding to those calls.
'There needs to be a balance so that children and young people can enjoy ‘trick or treat’ and Bonfire Night while vulnerable members of the community feel safe and supported.
'People should be prepared for some noise from excited children, but no one should accept being made to feel harassed, alarmed or distressed – and I’d ask parents and guardians to make sure their children understand how to stay safe and out of trouble.'
You can report crime or incidents on the night on the non-emergency number 101 or through our website,www.avonandsomerset.police.uk If it's an emergency, with someone at risk of being hurt or a crime happening there and then, call 999.
You can report crime or incidents on the night on the non-emergency number 101 or through our website,www.avonandsomerset.police.uk If it's an emergency, with someone at risk of being hurt or a crime happening there and then, call 999.
Neighbourhood officers will also be busy in the run up to October 31 and November 5 visiting schools, shops, and calling on vulnerable members of the community.
At schools, officers will talk to children and young people about the ‘Halloween Code’, giving them personal safety advice, like never going into a stranger’s home. They’ll also explain that what might seem like harmless fun to young people could be alarming or distressing to vulnerable members of the community such as frail elderly people or families with very young children.
Retailers will be reminded of their responsibilities around selling fireworks and alcohol. They’ll be given posters to display to show they won’t sell eggs or flour – sometimes thrown at property as a trick – to children.
People can get a luminous orange ‘sorry no trick or treat’ poster to display in their window from neighbourhood police. They’ll be asked to be prepared for some noise from children and teenagers on the streets on the night but reminded that we can take action if they feel harassed, alarmed or distressed.
Check out our website, www.avonandsomerset.police.uk for more Halloween and Bonfire Night advice - you can also download a version of the poster to print at home.
In Bath and North East Somerset Volunteer Police Cadets visited shops and residential areas to deliver ‘sorry no flour or eggs' or ‘sorry no trick or treat’ posters (see pictures).
