Extra Halloween Patrols in Thames Valley
31 October 2012, 15:00
There'll be extra patrols over Halloween after more than 500 crimes were recorded in the Thames Valley during last year's event.
There was also a significant rise in urgent calls to the Police Enquiry Centre in 2011. Although Halloween always shows a peak in calls, last year showed the highest levels in five years.
Across the force, 526 crimes were recorded last Halloween, the highest compared with other day of the year. Most of them were for theft or handling stolen goods and criminal damage.
There will be Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), Special Constables and police officers on late shifts to act as a visible deterrent to anyone looking to commit crime or anti-social behaviour.
Tim De Meyer, Head of Neighbourhood Policing and Partnerships said: "I know for some people, this time of year can be unsettling 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.
“Your neighbourhood team will be carrying out patrols in the evenings to make sure people who are trick or treating are doing so in a friendly manner and not causing a nuisance.”
They've given out some advice for Halloween:
- Don’t knock where you see a ‘No Trick or Treat’ poster
- Be visible and stick to well lit streets
- Don’t enter any house
- Although Halloween is meant to be spooky, be careful not to frighten people
- Plan your trick or treat route before you go and let an adult know where you’ll be going and what time you will be back
- Go with an adult when possible
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.