On Thursday 31st October you’ll see the familiar sight of children dressed up in capes and masks to go trick-or-treating around the neighbourhood. It’s an exciting time of year for little monsters, pumpkins will be carved and sparklers lit, but there are a few things to bear in mind to ensure everyone has a safe Halloween…

• Young children should always be accompanied by adults when trick-or-treating.
• If your older children are going alone, plan an acceptable route. Remind them to stay in a group and agree on a specific time when they should return home.
• Remember reflective tape for costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
• Do not knock on the doors of strangers – only go to people you know.
• Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
• Remain on well-lit streets and always use the pavement.

Although Halloween is traditionally a bit of fun for children, it can genuinely be a frightening time for many people. The Community Safety team’s advice is to be considerate of those who don’t want to take part in the festivities. In the first instance consider only visiting the houses of those people you know will take part.

• If you do not get an answer from a door you knock just move on.
• Unless pre-arranged, do not visit elderly members of the community.
• Please take care not to frighten vulnerable people.

Each year Warwickshire Police deal with a number of Halloween-related incidents involving criminal damage and anti-social behaviour. Local shops will have posters advising young people that they will not be sold eggs or flour if they are under the age of 18, and there is a flyer that county residents will be able to display in their windows asking trick-or-treaters to stay away.

It is hoped that trick-or-treaters will honour the ‘no trick-or-treaters’ notice and move on when they see one displayed. To download your poster, please click here.

Let’s hope there are more treats than tricks this year if you are celebrating Halloween, but it might be worthwhile stocking up on garlic and silver bullets, just in case!

For more information, contact your local Community Safety Project Officer on 02476 483163 (Nuneaton and Bedworth and North Warwickshire), 01788 533817 (Rugby) or 01926 412261 (Stratford and Warwick Districts), visit Community Safety Partnerships in Warwickshire or email communitysafety@warwickshire.gov.uk.