Police posters help the community to stay safe during the Halloween festivities

The posters – which can be downloaded from www.bedfordshire.police.uk - offer hints and tips to ‘Trick or Treaters’ as well reminding people that not everyone enjoys Halloween as much as others.

There are also posters for shop owners to place in their windows advising that eggs and flour will be sold at their discretion as well as a poster for residents who may not want callers at their door.

Officers have been visiting schools around Bedfordshire to hand out information and fun packs and it is hoped that the campaign will ensure that all residents enjoy October 31 without causing distress to those who do not want to participate.

Crime Reduction Inspector Corina House said: “During Halloween some people, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, can find it very frightening to have large groups unexpectedly calling at their homes asking for treats.

“If possible, parents and guardians should go out trick or treating with their children, sticking to well-lit areas and only knocking on the doors of people they know. Some people may have ‘No trick or treat’ posters up at their doors and we ask that these requests are respected.

“We don’t want to spoil anyone’s half term fun, we simply want to ensure people have a safe and enjoyable Halloween.”

During this time of year, the police take many extra complaints about Halloween-related activities. Some of these are about noise or general ‘high spirits’ – but often the fun has degenerated into serious inconvenience and outright criminal activity, say police.

They warn that activities such as throwing eggs, flour and water bombs at other people or their property are, at the least, frightening for those who are subjected to it and at worst can mean the police investigating crimes such as assault.

Coupled with the onset of Bonfire night, Halloween can also mean extra problems with fireworks being thrown or used irresponsibly. Letting off fireworks near the road is actually a criminal offence.

To help reduce these types of incidents Bedfordshire Police will have a number of extra patrols in operation across the county to make sure that everyone has a good time whilst staying safe.

For more advice about Halloween please visit www.bedfordshire.police.uk

If you have information relating crime in Bedfordshire please call the non-emergency 101 number, in confidence, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.