Wednesday 31 October marks this year’s Halloween, traditionally a time when young people like to dress up and have fun ‘Trick or Treating’ in their local communities.

Wiltshire Police and its partners are encouraging young people to be safe and respect others this Halloween, to ensure that Halloween can be enjoyed by everyone.

Parents and carers have an important role to play to help keep children and young people safe and encourage them to act responsibly when they’re taking part in Trick or Treating.

Help keep Halloween an enjoyable and safe time for you and your family by following the simple Halloween code below:

• Always trick and treat with an adult
• Parents/carers should ensure their children act sensibly
• Only visit a house where you or the people you are with know  who lives there
• Do not knock on doors where there is a sign saying ‘Sorry no trick or treat here please’
• Stay in areas that are well lit with street lights. Take a torch with you just in case
• Stay with the people you are with - do not go off on your own
• Do not talk to strangers on the street
• Do not enter any house – stay on the door step
• Be careful not to frighten vulnerable people, especially the elderly
• Look carefully before crossing the road
• Don’t vandalise anything or throw things like eggs and flour. This type of behaviour will not be tolerated and you could end up getting into trouble with the police.  Many people don’t realise that by throwing eggs and flour at someone’s property, they may be causing criminal damage -  an offence which can result in a three month jail sentence or a fine of up to £2,500.
• Young people who repeatedly disturb residents by door knocking are committing an offence under the Town and Police Clauses Act, which can carry a jail sentence of up to 14 days or a fine of up to £1,000.  Targeting an individual with such objects can lead to a charge of assault, regardless of whether the objects make contact.
• Penalty Notices for Disorder can also be issued which carry a fine of up to £80, which makes it quicker and more straightforward for officers to penalise offenders on the spot and hopefully tackle anti-social behaviour before it escalates.
• Unexpected callers at the door can cause distress for some people, particularly the elderly.  For people who do not want to receive ‘Trick or Treat’ callers a poster has been produced displaying, in large font ‘Sorry, no trick or treat here please.’  The poster should be displayed in a prominent position either on the front door or front window. 

Posters

 No Trick or Treaters please

 No flour or eggs will be sold here (A poster for shop keepers with the message that they will not sell eggs or flour to under 18 years is  also available) 

Local NPTs will also be distributing the posters throughout their local Neighbourhood Policing area. Please contact your local NPT if you would like a poster.