Think Before You Knock This Halloween

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Safer Neighbourhoods Teams' code of conduct for trick or treaters

While Halloween can undoubtedly be a great deal of fun, it can also be a particularly distressing time of year for some of the more vulnerable members of our communities - especially the elderly.

With this in mind, the Turnham Green Safer Neighbourhoods Team are urging trick or treaters to think carefully about which doors they knock on this Halloween.

If you do decide to go trick or treating, please respect the wishes of any household displaying a 'No Trick or Treat' poster.

When trick or treating you should also stay as safe as possible by following the

Halloween Code :

• Always go trick or treating with an adult
• Only go to houses where you or your friends know the residents
• Don't knock on doors where there is a 'No Trick or Treat' sign
• Stay in areas that are well lit with street lights - take a torch with you just in case
• Stay with your friends - don't split into smaller groups unless an adult goes with you
• Don't talk to strangers on the street
• Don't enter any house - stay on the doorstep
• Be careful not to frighten vulnerable people, especially the elderly
• Be visible
• Look carefully before crossing the road, even if you're part of a group.
• Don't vandalise anything or throw things like eggs and flour. This can cause a great deal of damage and misery. What's more it can be classed as criminal damage, or even assault, and a night of 'fun' could end up with you in trouble with the police.

If you want to download your own copy of the "No Trick or Treat" sign, it is available in pdf format on this link. Copies of the sign are also available in the front office at Chiswick Police Station.

Officers from all the Chiswick Safer Neighbourhoods teams will be out patrolling over the Halloween period. If you are experiencing problems with anti social behaviour, the Chiswick Safer Neighbourhoods teams can be contacted on 020 8247 6415. In an emergency, dial 999.

October 23, 2008