Do not give elderly neighbours a real fright (From Witney Gazette)

Do not give elderly neighbours a real fright

9:00am Wednesday 25th October 2006 in Witney By Ruth Keeling

SHOPS will be asked not to sell children flour, eggs, and other items to avoid any Halloween horrors this year.

Thames Valley Police are making their annual appeal not to make Halloween too horrible, with children and parents being warned not to give elderly neighbours a real fright during Halloween.

Thames Valley Police staff are visiting schools and working with local shops to make sure trick-or-treating does not turn into anti-social behaviour or vandalism on October 31.

Crime reduction adviser, Lesley Nesbitt, said: "We want children to have fun at Halloween, but we also want to make sure they understand that some members of the community do not look forward to this time of year.

"Elderly residents, vulnerable members of the community, and people who live alone can be intimidated by unexpected knocks on the door, or loud noises outside."

Police officers, crime reduction officers, and police community support officers in Oxfordshire will be asking shops not to sell children flour, eggs, and other items that are sometimes thrown at cars and buildings during Halloween.

“We want children to have fun at Halloween, but we also want to make sure they understand that some members of the community do not look forward to this time of year."

Crime reduction adviser Lesley Nesbitt

A police spokesman added: "Shops will be given posters to display, which say they reserve the right not to serve children with such items."

Trick-or-treaters will also be warned that damage to property is a criminal offence, and that the person responsible could be arrested.

As well as school visits, letters will be sent to parents of primary school children, setting out guidelines for Halloween celebrations.

Residents who do not want to take part in the trick-or-treat tradition can put up a special flyer, which is available from police stations and from the police website, www.thamesvalley.police.uk There will also be extra officers on patrol during Halloween evening, and members of the public have been asked to call the non-emergency police number - 08458 505505 - unless there is a real emergency.

A police spokesman said parents should try to find out beforehand which neighbours do not mind a trick-or-treat visit, and only call at those homes.

He added: "Parents are also asked to discourage older children to go trick-or-treating.

"As a rule, if they are old enough to go on their own, they are too old for trick-or-treating.