Make Hallowe'en safe and fun for everyone

This Hallowe’en Suffolk Police are reminding people to stay safe and to keep any tricks within the law.

Many people enjoy the thrills of Hallowe’en but those taking part are asked to respect those who do not wish to.

For example, knocking on strangers’ doors can be distressing and intimidating, particularly for older and vulnerable members of the community.

Police officers will be carrying out increased patrols over the Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night periods and working with partners and businesses to ensure celebrations are safe and enjoyable for everyone.

To help householders and businesses in the run-up to the day two posters are available to download from the Suffolk Police website, indicating whether they would welcome trick-or-treaters or not. These can be downloaded by visiting:

https://www.suffolk.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/suffolk/donotdisturbsuffolk.pdf

https://www.suffolk.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/suffolk/we-welcome-trick-or-treat-poster-suffolk.pdf

Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore said: “Hallowe’en can be great fun and I certainly don’t want to spoil people’s enjoyment but it is important that that trick-or-treaters are sensible, respectful and also keep safe.

“For those on the receiving end of trick-or-treaters, particularly the old and vulnerable, it can be quite upsetting. Suffolk Constabulary’s posters are a simple way of letting everyone know whether you welcome trick-or-treaters or not and I hope they help signpost which households are happy to be involved.”

The Police have also advised people who do go out trick or treating to never go out alone, stay in well-lit areas, wear bright clothing to stay safe against any traffic and not to go inside strangers’ houses.

Retailers across Suffolk are being encouraged to restrict the sale of eggs and flour to young people in the run-up to Hallowe’en. They are also being reminded of the law when it comes to selling fireworks as Bonfire Night is the following week. It is illegal to sell fireworks to anyone under 18 and to sell fireworks that fly erratically, including mini-rockets and bangers.

Any members of the public who do have any concerns should call 101 for non-emergency assistance or call 999 in an emergency. Alternatively, please pass useful information about any incident via https://www.suffolk.police.uk/tell-us