Police Hallowe'en warning

Extra police patrols in place to control anticipated anti-social behaviour during Hallowe'en

THAMES Valley Police say they will tackle anti-social behaviour this Hallowe'en with extra patrols.

The force has also released a poster for people who do not want to be disturbed by trick or treaters to display on their front doors.

Head of neighbourhood policing and partnerships at Thames Valley Police, Chief Superintendent David Lewis, said the celebrations can be unsettling for some people but added: “Most of these children or teenagers are just getting involved in the Hallowe'en celebrations and will be friendly.

“Neighbourhood teams will be patrolling over the weekend to ensure everybody behaves themselves and that people intent on causing trouble don't spoil the fun for everyone else.”

Last week children at various schools across Thames Valley were shown a film highlighting the consequences of anti-social behaviour during Hallowe'en.

The film features a teenager convicted of arson after he and his friend put a firework through the letterbox of a family home as a prank in 2008, but the prank went wrong and the house caught fire.

The police force also advised people not to open their doors if they are unsure who is there, to keep a telephone for a relative or neighbour ready and, to anyone who lives in a Neighbourhood Watch area, to let the coordinator know if you will be home alone.

The poster, which warns visitors that a house is not taking part in Hallowe'en celebrations, can be downloaded from Thames Valley Police's website on http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/halloween1.pdf