Police concern at trick or treaters

POLICE in Suffolk voiced their disappointment last night after some trick-or-treaters spoiled Hallowe'en for others in the county.

Inspector Chris Walton said there were 39 incidents reported involving people throwing eggs and flour between 7pm and 11pm – and about a dozen involving people letting off fireworks "irresponsibly", scaring elderly people and pets.

He said the police were prioritising the incidents and if there were instances of criminality they would be investigating.

Police patrols were monitoring the streets and Insp Walton asserted that breakages caused by people throwing eggs and flour were being treated as criminal damage and people would be prosecuted.

He said: "As the events are coming in it is obvious that our resources are being unnecessarily and irresponsibly stretched."

Insp Walton said that the minority of people had spoiled Hallowe'en for the majority and that there were many youths who were acting responsibly and "cheering people up" with their costumes.

He added the police were "seeing a very, very busy" evening as people were not taking their advice.

In Essex, police reported a 50% surge in calls and said it was probably down to Hallowe'en trick-or-treaters.

To help combat the problem of unruly people in the "witching hour", the East Anglian Daily Times joined forces with BBC Radio Suffolk and Suffolk Constabulary to produce a poster for homeowners to display in their windows if they did not want to answer the doors to trick-or-treaters.

A Suffolk police spokeswoman said she did not think this year's Halloween had seen a higher than normal amount of calls for the night.

On October 31, 2001 the Suffolk police control room received 200 calls on Halloween, an increase of 50% compared to the average night.