Respect for everyone this Hallowe'en

Devon and Cornwall Police want to ensure that Halloween is a happy and safe time for everyone, whether young or old.

If you are going trick or treating this Halloween we want you to have fun and be safe but remember not everyone wants you to call at their home.

The ‘Sorry... no trick or treat this Halloween' campaign encourages members of the public who do not want to be bothered by trick-or-treaters to download and print this poster and place it in the front door or window of their homes.

Crime Reduction Team Leader, Bob Bunney, said: “In recent years we have seen an increase in the number of people participating in Halloween fun.

“We ask that anyone wishing to trick-or-treat considers other people, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, as they may get worried if strangers are continually calling at the door during the evening.

“We don’t want to discourage anyone or spoil anyone’s fun, but we would remind trick-or-treaters that some people do not want to be disturbed and we would ask people not to call at homes displaying this poster.”

You can download the poster from www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/halloween

To have a fun and safe Halloween follow these top tips:

• Always be accompanied by an adult when you are trick-or-treating.
• Only go to houses of people you know and who are happy for you to call.
• Stay safe, keep to places that you know and are well lit. Do not take short cuts through gardens, alleyways or parks.
• Watch out for traffic - drivers might not see you.
• If you are wearing a mask make sure that you can see where you are going and are aware of your surroundings.
• Carry a torch and a fully charged mobile phone (if you have one).