Be a nice guy this Halloween

Dyfed Powys Police are joining forces with Police and Fire services to ask people living in Wales to ‘Be A Nice Guy’ this Halloween and bonfire night in Operation B.A.N.G.

The force will be working with colleagues in the fire service and local authority to offer advice and guidance on the dos and don’ts around this event.

As with previous years, posters are available from local officers with messages that are appropriate to the different type of incidents we see in different areas of Wales.

“Some posters encourage visits from trick or treaters, whilst others clearly say they are not welcome,” said PC Rob Chapman. “They also include safety tips for anyone wanting to dress up and go out and about calling at people’s houses.

“We know that instances of anti-social behaviour can increase at this time of year and some communities can suffer more than others. Also fireworks in the wrong hands can cause misery as they are used to damage property as well as threaten or injure people.

“We have specialist officers across Dyfed Powys going in to schools talking to young people about how their behaviour can affect others, after all not everyone wants to join in the Halloween celebrations. They will also be reminding them to keep themselves safe if they go out trick or treating.

“Some of our residents do worry when trick or treaters knock the door. While we do not want to spoil people’s enjoyment, we also don’t want it to get out of hand and cause people to feel threatened in their own home.

“But if this does happen then we encourage residents to call us on 999 if it is an emergency or on 101.

During the Halloween and Bonfire celebrations, officers across the force will be increasing patrols during the evening in their communities to reassure people and to enable us to react quickly to anyone who uses Halloween or bonfire night as an excuse to commit anti-social behaviour.

“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,” said PC Chapman.

“Trick or treaters are therefore being urged to only knock on doors where the poster is displayed.

“We are also working with shops to restrict the sale of eggs and flour in the run up to Halloween. Shopkeepers can get copies of the poster from their local officers.”

Trick or treating advice includes:

• Always go with an adult
• Only to go to houses where you or your friends know the people and know you are welcome
• Only go to houses displaying the ‘trick or treaters’ welcome poster
• Don’t talk to strangers
• Don’t enter the house always stay on the doorstep.

Anyone wanting a poster can contact their local neighbourhood policing team via 101 or download it from www.dyfed-powys.police.uk You can also log on to the campaign Facebook page, search for B.A.N.G