Have fun but be safe over Halloween
Archived press release
Date Published: 29/10/08
The Aylesbury Vale Community Safety Partnership is appealing to young people and parents to help make this year’s Halloween festivities as safe and peaceful as possible.
Whilst most people enjoy Halloween, for many residents practices such as trick or treating, setting off fireworks and using sparklers aren’t always fun. Unfortunately these festivities can often bring with them serious injuries including burns, criminal damage to property and on occasions general annoyance to a number of vulnerable people.
That is why members of the community safety partnership are working together to ensure youngsters stay safe and have fun this year, without causing upset to residents.
Thames Valley Police have warned that extra patrols will be on duty around the Vale during the Halloween period and will adopt a low tolerance of anti-social behaviour such as throwing fireworks or eggs.
Superintendent Richard List, Area Commander for Aylesbury Vale, said “During both Halloween and Bonfire Night we will be running two significant operations. Resources will be increased and shifts changed with police officers, PCSOs and Special Constables patrolling Aylesbury Vale. We will be using intelligence to target our resources on potential problem areas. Citizens can be reassured that my officers will be out in numbers to deal with anti-social behaviour and reassure local people.
“However, we do need the cooperation and assistance of parents and guardians. Unfortunately, some youngsters will almost certainly cause problems often placing both themselves and others in danger. I would ask parents and guardians to consider carefully whether they know where their children will be this Halloween and Bonfire Night and, more importantly, what they will actually be doing.”
Nigel Brooke, Chairman of the Aylesbury Vale Community Safety Partnership, said: “We want children to have fun at Halloween, but we also want to make sure they understand that some members of the community do not look forward to this time of year. Elderly residents, vulnerable members of the community and people who live alone can be intimidated by unexpected knocks on the door or loud noises outside.
“Any older or vulnerable people should not open the door to strangers, or use a door chain or peep hole to check who is calling – if you feel threatened, call police. Youngsters should wear reflective clothing if they are going out on the night and carry a torch with them. They should go out in a group, preferably accompanied by an adult, and should carry a mobile phone. We say, keep it fun and keep it safe.”
Residents who do not wish to be disturbed on Halloween night can pick up posters from their local police station, which states ‘no trick or treat please’ to place in their front windows leading up to the event.
Aylesbury Vale District Council’s leisure team will be providing a number of sporting activities for youngsters on Halloween night. The activities are taking place on Bedgrove and Edinburgh playing fields in Aylesbury between 6.30pm and 8.30pm.