The following has just gone out on eCops:

Dear eCops subscriber,

Ghosts and ghouls are set to hit the streets of Cambridgeshire on Thursday as children across the county celebrate Halloween. For us the event is usually a busy night as calls increase with reports of anti-social behaviour. Last year between 5pm and 10pm we received 215 ‘999’ calls, compared with 171 over the same period two weeks prior.

We want to make sure everyone has a good time, including those who don’t want to join in. If you’re not keen on having trick or treaters come to your door, you can print out our ‘Sorry, no trick or treating’ poster to display on your front door, which is attached to this message. If you are joining in then please do remember to respect the wishes of those who are displaying our poster. You will also find attached a Halloween theme colouring in sheet for youngsters if you’re looking for ideas to keep them entertained over the half term break!

Click here for the ‘no trick or treat’ poster and click here for rthe Halloween theme coloring sheet.

The plea comes as part of our award winning Get Closer campaign which aims to reduce anti-social behaviour. Across the county officers will be increasing patrols and supporting residents who do not want to participate and we’re also working with vulnerable and elderly residents across Cambridgeshire and The Cambridgeshire Bobby Scheme which provides a service to older and vulnerable people across the county by improving their home security to reduce crime and provide peace of mind.

The work coincides with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) “In Focus – Anti-Social Behaviour” week, which is part of a series of campaigns focussing on important policing issues.

We have also produced artwork for retailers to try to prevent the unnecessary sale of flour and eggs in the run-up to Halloween and the anti-social behaviour often associated with it, as well as working with schools asking for our messages to be published to students and providing information to parents about their safety, visiting houses they know and respecting the ‘no trick or treating’ signs.

We’re doing all we can to reduce anti-social behaviour this Halloween and to make it an enjoyable event for all.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Halloween,
Lauren Alexander
Cambridgeshire Constabulary Communications Officer