All in good spirit this Halloween

This Saturday, Gwent Police and the three other Welsh police forces will be running a community safety campaign to help those wishing to mark Halloween – and those that don’t - to stay safe.

As Halloween is traditionally one of Gwent Police’s busiest periods, additional officers will be on patrol this weekend to deal with any reports of disorder or anti-social behaviour, and to reassure concerned residents that their local areas are being policed appropriately.

The annual campaign forms part of Operation Bang, an all-Wales initiative to keep levels of anti-social disturbance to a minimum across the Halloween and Bonfire Night period. This year, the force will be working closely with its local authority partners, and in particular Youth Services teams, in an attempt to reduce the number of incidents that are reported on 31 October.

A wide range of activities will be taking place on Saturday, aimed at diverting young people away from anti-social behaviour. Such events enable young people to celebrate Halloween in a safe and secure environment. In Caerphilly, Neighbourhood Officers will be attending local youth club events, and in Newport, local officers will be involved in a Halloween party being held at the Gaer Community Centre, for children aged 8 and above.

Shops throughout Gwent have received posters encouraging positive behaviour this weekend, and Neighbourhood policing teams are urging traders not to sell flour and eggs to anyone who appears to be under the age of 18, in the run-up to Halloween.

Schools Community Police Officers have participated in school assemblies throughout Gwent over the past few weeks to discourage bad behaviour by highlighting the distress that can be caused to those who don’t wish to mark Halloween. As in previous years, comprehensive school students in Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly have received letters reminding them that not everyone wants to join in the festivities.

Residents who don’t wish to be disturbed on October 31st can display a pumpkin poster in their window or on their front door to deter unwanted callers. The poster is available from all Gwent Police stations, or English and Welsh versions can be downloaded from the Gwent Police website at: www.gwent.police.uk.

Looking ahead to this weekend, Gwent Police Assistant Chief Constable Jeff Farrar said:
“Rather than putting a damper on people’s fun, we want them to mark Halloween responsibly, while bearing in mind that for many people, this Saturday is just another normal day.

It is possible to take part in Halloween activities within a safe environment without disturbing other people. If any children or young people plan to go trick or treating, please ensure they are accompanied.

That said, it’s important to emphasize that Halloween is not a licence to roam the streets, throwing eggs at people’s homes and damaging property. If people cross the line from a bit of harmless fun, to behaviour that causes other people harm or distress, then that will not be tolerated. We will respond swiftly to any reports of criminal damage or anti-social behaviour."

Anyone concerned about anti-social behaviour should call us on our new non-emergency number, 101, but in an emergency, they should dial 999.