North Yorkshire Police are urging people to act responsibly and stay safe this Halloween and Bonfire Night period.

Although this time of year is seen as fun by many, there are those in our communities for whom it causes concern and increases the fear of crime.

Police officers and Police Community Support Officers will be undertaking patrols to ensure that residents and visitors feel safe and that the impact of any anti-social behaviour can be reduced.

 

Leaflets have been delivered to local residents who may feel more vulnerable at this time of year, providing them with advice and contact details for local officers.

Shop owners are asked to make sure that they don’t sell items such as eggs and flour to young people, who may be using them to commit anti-social behaviour. They are also reminded that it is illegal to sell fireworks to anyone under the age of 18.

Chief Superintendent Lisa Winward, is the head of Uniformed Policing for North Yorkshire Police. She said: “I know that this is an exciting and fun time for many young people across North Yorkshire and the City of York. However, there are some people who may find it distressing and can feel threatened by unexpected callers who are often dressed in disguises.

“It would be very helpful if parents could speak to their children to ensure that they understand how their actions can leave others in fear of crime.

“If you know that a neighbour is vulnerable please keep an eye out for them to help prevent them from becoming concerned about being the victim of crime.

“People working in shops should also be mindful of selling anything to young people which could be used to cause anti-social behaviour.

Chief Superintendent Winward added: “We work closely with the Fire and Rescue Service and I would also remind people not take risks with fireworks.

“Anyone caught supplying fireworks to under 18-year-olds or lighting them in the street can expect to be dealt with robustly.”

Halloween and Mischief Night advice

Children who go out trick or treating are advised to:

• Only trick or treat in your own neighbourhood unless you’re with an adult
• Stay in well lit areas where there are plenty of houses
• Make sure an adult knows the area you plan to visit and what time you’ll be back
• Look out for ‘no callers please’ posters and respect your neighbours
• Keep to pavements and trick or treat on one side of the street before crossing safely to the other side – don’t criss-cross
• Wait to eat any treats until you get home so that an adult can check them

They shouldn’t:

• Trick or treat at houses displaying a poster asking you not to call
• Cut through back alleys, ginnels or fields, and don’t trick or treat too far from home
• Don’t go alone. Rather take an adult with them or stay in a group

Parents and guardians can also play their part in helping to keep their children safe and reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour.

They should:

• Make sure that older children are in a group and that they have been given a time by which to be home
• Explain to children the difference between tricks and vandalism. Throwing eggs at a house may seem like fun but they need to understand the upset and damage this will cause, as well as the penalties for such action
• Instruct their children never to go into a stranger’s home, always remain at the door
• Make sure their child carries a torch, glow stick or has reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible to cars
• Plan a safe route with them in advance so you know where they will be at all times

Don’t:

• Allow young children, even in groups, to go out unsupervised
• Allow children to eat any treats until they bring them home to be examined by you
• Discard all sweets and foodstuffs which are not wrapped or whose wrapping appears to have been opened or punctured.

Firework safety

Everyone is reminded that it is an offence to supply anyone under the age of 18 with fireworks.

Anyone caught setting off fireworks in a public place can expect to stopped by the police. They face the prospect of being given a penalty notice for disorder and an £80 fine, or even taken to court where they could be fined up to £5,000.

Police are advising people to attend an officially organised fireworks display.

However if they are having a private display they should take a few precautions to keep themselves safe:

• Store them in a closed box until you are ready to use them
• An adult should light the fireworks using a taper
• Never return to a firework once it has been lit
• Keep pets indoors