Whilst Halloween and “Trick or Treat”ing can be lots of fun, not everyone enjoys Trick or Treaters calling at the door. Whether you are older; want peace and quiet; can’t get to the door; have a fearful dog or pet; or have a baby sleeping upstairs, not everyone wants the door knock or the worry about what would happen if they don’t answer the door.
So this Halloween, here’s a few tips for those not keen on Trick or Treat.
Humberside Police have a poster that you can fix to your door/ window to ask Trick or Treaters not to call. This is part of their Operation Topaz programme. Operation Topaz is a seasonal initiative from Humberside Police focused on preventing and tackling antisocial behaviour, particularly around Halloween and Bonfire Night. It forms part of a broader strategy to enhance public safety during high-risk periods and transitions into Operation Yuletide as the festive season approaches.
You can download the poster below. VANEL have a few copies we’ve had printed at our offices (82 Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes) or you can ask the Sidney Sussex or South Ward Policing Teams for copies. (Thank you to Ward Councillors for the funding to print these).
Don’t put a pumpkin or decorations outside if you don’t want callers. Most kids trick or treating know to only visit houses with pumpkins.
Think about leaving lights on in rooms even later into the night. A simple plug in timer can help.
Don’t be alone on Halloween. Have a friend visit or at least find which of your friends or neighbours are in so that you can call them on the evening if you have concerns.
If you have real concerns that a crime is in progress – throwing things at your house for example, then please do make sure you contact the Police.
Hopefully you can have a peaceful evening and the Trick or Treaters will enjoy themselves but not at your expense.
Download the Trick or Treat poster as an image below:
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