Police warn parents and young people in Swindon to respect others during trick or treat activities

In the run up to Halloween, which is on on Friday, October 31, officers have also moved to warn parents and carers to help keep children and young people safe and encourage them to act responsibly while taking part in trick or treating activities.

If you or someone you know is ‘trick or treating’ this Halloween, police say to follow these six simple top tips:

• Always be accompanied by an adult when you are trick or treating
• You should only go to houses of people that you know and who are happy for you to call
• Stay safe, keep to places that you know and are well lit. Do not take short cuts through gardens, alleyways or parks
• Watch out for traffic
• If you're wearing a mask, make sure that you can see where you are going and are aware of your surroundings
• Carry a torch and a fully charged mobile phone (if you have one).

During the Halloween period, Neighbourhood Policing Teams across the county will be undertaking high visibility patrols to help prevent anti-social behaviour, police said.

Wiltshire Police’s head of crime prevention, Superintendent Marion Deegan, said: “Trick or treaters should take care and think carefully about which doors they knock on, particularly if there are elderly people or people living on their own in your neighbourhood.

“The most important message is that we want people to enjoy Halloween and, in particular the children and young people, by keeping themselves safe and making sure they do not cause any problems in their communities.”

Residents have also been given advice on how to deal with callers.

If at any point you do feel nervous or unsafe: 

• Don’t open your door if you’re unsure who is there.
• Use your spy-hole, look out of a window and use your door chain if you do decide to open your door
• Have a contact number of a close relative or good neighbour by your telephone, just in case you need to phone them
• If you are part of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, let your coordinator know that you will be on your own at Halloween. If you are a coordinator, please identify people in your scheme that may be vulnerable and offer them reassurance.

Wiltshire Police ‘No trick or treat’ posters are available for you to display if you don’t want trick or treaters at your door this Halloween.

The poster can be displayed in your home, or homes of any neighbours or relatives. It should be displayed in a prominent position either on the front door or front window.

You can download the poster from the Wiltshire Police website at www.wiltshire.police.uk or via contacting your Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Click here to download the Wiltshire Police poster

Angus Macpherson, Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, said: “While Halloween can be a lot of fun, especially for youngsters, it is important to remember that ‘trick or treating’ in the dark can be upsetting, especially for elderly and vulnerable people and those who live alone.

“I am pleased that Wiltshire Police are offering ‘no trick or treat’ posters for residents to display in their windows and I would urge people to respect their wishes.

“It is also good to know that our neighbourhood policing teams will be stepping up patrols on the night.”