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Concerns over anti-social behaviour
In 2005, Age Concern's Director, Gordon Lishman, released the following statement:
"While some people will be out with their friends and families enjoying Halloween others will be keeping out of the way. We encourage those who will be out trick or treating to do so responsibly and with respect for others in their community.
"People of all ages can find unexpected callers to their homes intimidating or frightening, particularly when it is dark outside. People who are anxious should be selective about who they answer the door to, checking who is there before opening the door. Using a door chain and a spy hole can make you feel safer and could prevent you being the victim of a prank or a crime."
Age Concern and Help the Aged, however, are reluctant to actively push the topic as they do not wish to create a 'fear of crime' that exaggerates the actual level of recorded incidents at Halloween. They do not experience high numbers of either media or public calls on the subject, but would be happy to support a general message that people celebrating Halloween, especially by the practice of 'Trick of Treating', should exercise caution when approaching households that are unknown to them, and that some older people do find such 'games' intimidating and frightening.
It is important that we do not stereotype 'teenagers' as 'yobs' or infer that a large number of young people take part in such anti-social activity, but rather we should aim to raise everyone's awareness that 'Trick or Treating' or other similar activities can be dangerous as well as anti-social.
Although the Association of Chief Police Officers do not perceive Halloween to be a major hotspot for crime, some Police Forces do treat the event with caution and ensure that extra police officers patrol the streets for the days surrounding the festival.
Statistics reported by the BBC last year suggested there is a 20% increase in nuisance crime around this time of the year. According to the Guardian, thousands of extra police officers were on duty and some forces issued safety advice cards and leaflets. In other areas, unmarked spotter cars will also be on patrol, looking out for unruly youths who take advantage of the night when many of the nation's children will go out trick-or-treating.
A spokeswoman for Cheshire Police told the Guardian: "In 2005 we received 1,519 calls on Halloween, when the normal level would have been about 1,000. The year before it was 1,317 and in 2003 is was 1,119. Last year, the majority of calls complained of damage to property, rowdy behaviour and intimidation."
PC Nick Stephens from Warwickshire Police told the BBC the force is "cracking down" on Halloween-inspired anti-social behaviour. "Our concern is that Halloween is a time when young people are going to enjoy themselves, but there are those who as they get older, thirteen, fourteen or fifteen go a little bit beyond the pale," he said. "They're the ones we will be cracking down hard on and that sort of behaviour can be knocking and running away from doors, ringing doorbells and running away."
Last year, Gloucestershire Police launched Operation Fallward - additional police officers and police community support officers will be out on patrol from this weekend onwards to deter would-be offenders and deal with those who cross the line from celebration to crime.
Inspector Karen Ellis of the Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Division warned: "This is a time of year when the number of incidents of anti-social behaviour reported to us increases substantially," she said. "Trick or treating can escalate into what amount to criminal offences and we're particularly concerned about the effect this can have on more vulnerable members of the community. Youngsters discharging fireworks also cause annoyance and pose a considerable danger to residents and themselves.
Between 5pm and midnight on October 31 2005, 224 incidents of anti-social behaviour were reported throughout the county. There were 78 reports in the Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Division, 81 in the Forest and Gloucester Division and 65 in the Cotswolds and Stroud Division.
Leicestershire Constabulary launched Operation Lantern in 2005 to make the public aware of their safety and warning young people to be more thoughtful towards their neighbours. This included increased policing and responding to calls from concerned members of the community. The operation aims to warn off potential offenders and provide reassurance to members of the public who may feel intimidated or distressed by anti-social behaviour. These include the misuse and throwing of fireworks in public places and also 'trick or treat' related incidents such as egg throwing or nuisance calls to people's homes.
In Norfolk, Police officers in a number of policing sectors have started mounting extra patrols on Halloween in an effort to clamp down on anti-social behaviour and provide a reassuring presence for local communities.
South Yorkshire police have also co-ordinated a special operation for the last two years around Halloween codenamed Operation Mischief, to tackle the issue of antisocial behaviour and improper use and sale of fireworks.
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