Suffolk Police are reminding residents to stay safe during Hallowe’en and to keep any tricks within the law.
Hallowe’en is fun for many people but those taking part are asked to respect others who do not wish to.
People knocking on the doors of people they don’t know, particularly the vulnerable or older members of the community, can be both distressing and intimidating.
Officers will be conducting increased patrols over the Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night periods and working with partners and businesses to ensure that celebrations are safe and enjoyable for all.
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/sites/suffolk/files/2023-10/DoNotDisturbSuffolk.pdf
Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore said: “Trick-or-treating can be great fun, and I don’t want to spoil that fun, but I would ask those taking part to be sensible, keep safe and be respectful to others.
“For those on the receiving end of trick-or-treaters, particularly the old and vulnerable, it can be quite an upsetting experience. The Constabulary’s posters are a simple way of letting everyone know whether you welcome trick-or-treaters or not and I hope it helps signpost which household 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 and are being reminded of the legal requirements 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/contact-us/report-something/report-crime.