Crime reduction 

Halloween guidance

Thames Valley Police has produced a video which urges trick or treaters to think carefully about the consequences of their actions.

[image: 'Click your trick' YouTube clip]

[image: Youtube logo] View ‘Click your trick’ video (opens new window).

It shows five friends knocking on the door of a house, saying ‘trick or treat’. The occupant (which is the view of the camera) tells the group he’s sorry but he doesn’t have any treats. The viewer is then asked to ‘click their trick’ (outlined below).

• Blow this joint – the children decide not to do anything to the house and move on to find treats elsewhere.
• Beat it – One of the teenagers throws eggs and flour, causing criminal damage to the house.
• Go with a bang – One of the teenagers throws a firework through the letterbox. Images then display showing the damage caused to the house from the firework and the person responsible talking about the consequences of his actions.

Have fun during Halloween and Bonfire Night, but don’t be influenced by others into doing things that may seem minor at the time – your actions could have a massive impact on not only people inside their house but to your life as well.

Police will be carrying out patrols in the evenings to make sure that people who are trick or treating are doing so in a friendly manner and not causing a nuisance.

For some people, this time of the year can be a bother as your evenings are interrupted with people knocking on your doors for treats. Most of these children or teenagers are just getting involved in the Halloween celebrations and will be friendly.

If you feel unsafe

• Don’t open your door if you’re unsure who is there. Use your spy-hole, look out of a window, and use your door chain if you do decide to open your door.
• Have a contact number of a close relative or good neighbour to hand by your telephone, just in case you need to phone them.
• If you are part of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, let your coordinator know that you will be on your own at Halloween. If you are a coordinator, please identity people in your scheme that may be vulnerable and offer them reassurance.

Thames Valley Police will not tolerate any anti-social behaviour at any time of the year.

To report anti-social behaviour, call 0845 8 505 505, the 24-hour Thames Valley Police non-emergency number. If you feel threatened, it’s an emergency, or a crime is in progress, call 999.