Please look at this link for information on how to trick or treat carefully, and also with respect to the homeowners you visit.
The advice includes:
• Always be accompanied by an adult when you are trick or treating
• You should only go to houses of people that 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
• If you’re 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).
There is also a poster available here, which you can download and print to display if you don’t want trick or treaters to call.
Superintendent Phil Staynings, Head of Crime Prevention for Wiltshire Police said: “We want everyone to enjoy Halloween in a safe and responsible way that does not cause any problems in our communities.
“We would urge any trick or treaters, in particular the children and young people, to take care when out and about this Halloween and to consider carefully which doors they knock on. Please bear in mind knocking on the doors of elderly or vulnerable residents or people living on their own can be distressing or frightening for the occupants.”
If at any point you do feel nervous or 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 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 identify people in your scheme that may be vulnerable and offer them reassurance.