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Halloween Safety Warning
Strabane Policing and Community Safety Partnership send out Halloween Safety Warning
Strabane Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) are encouraging young people to be safe and respect others this Halloween.
Parents and carers have an important role to play to help keep children and young people safe over the Halloween period, and encourage them to act responsibly when they’re taking part in ‘Trick or Treating.’
Brian McMahon, Chair of the PCSP, said: “Halloween has always been a fun time for young people. The important thing is that people have fun and are mindful of others including older people and pets. Remember you can avoid causing distress to people in the community by getting involved in anti social behaviour.
“The PCSP is working together with partner agencies including the Council's Environmental Health Team, the Fire Service, PSNI and the Housing Executive. The Council are warning of the dangers of collecting for and congregating at bonfires and lighting fireworks. As a safe alternative to bonfires the Partnership are supporting the fireworks display in the town centre.”
Help keep Halloween an enjoyable and safe time for you and your family by following the simple Halloween code below:
· Always ‘Trick and Treat’ with an adult
· Parents/carers should ensure their children act sensibly
· Only visit a house where you, or the people you are with, know the occupants
· Do not knock on doors where there is a sign saying ‘Sorry no trick or treat here please’
· Stay in areas that are well lit with street lights. Take a torch with you just in case
· Stay with the people you are with - do not go off on your own
· Do not talk to strangers on the street
· Do not enter any house – stay on the door step
· Be careful not to frighten vulnerable people, especially the elderly
· Look carefully before crossing the road
· Don’t vandalise anything or throw things at houses or vehicles. This type of behaviour will not be tolerated and you could end up getting into trouble with the police.
Chief Inspector Andy Lemon said: “We understand that Halloween is an exciting tradition for young people and we’re not trying to spoil their fun. It is a time for young and old to enjoy themselves safely. Throwing bangers and knocking on peoples doors may seem like fun but it can cause distress to humans and animals and in some cases injury. Please respect your neighbours and community By following some simple advice young people canminimiseany distress they cause and reduce the likelihood of them being drawn into anti-social activities.”
“Anyone who engages in anti-socialbehaviourshould be warned that it will not be tolerated. We will be increasing patrols on the night and the consequences of engaging in such activities could be serious.”
Unexpected callers at the door can cause distress for some people, particularly the elderly. Strabane PCSP would like to remind residents to be aware of the following safety messages:
· You have the right to say no to trick or treaters
- Always use your door chain when opening the door
- Do not let anyone in your house unless you are happy with their identity
- Do not deal with doorstep sales people unless you are sure that they are genuine
- Always ask for identification from official callers
- If you need goods or services, buy only from reputable suppliers or by recommendation.
For people who do not want to receive ‘Trick or Treat’ callers a poster has been produced displaying in large font ‘Sorry, no trick or treat here please.’ The poster should be displayed in a prominent position either on the front door or front window. The posters can be downloaded HERE can be obtained from the following locations:
- Strabane District Council offices
- Local Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPT). You can find details of your local NPT on www.psni.police.uk/strabane_npt
- Strabane Community Library
· Strabane Community Project (St. Pats Hall)
· Melmount/East Bank Estates Community Associations Forum
· Strabane Town Community Partnership
· Fountain St Community Development Association
· Lisnafin/Ardnalee/Trust Cross Community Association
- Castlederg Library
- Derg Valley Care, Castlederg
· Churchtown Community Association, Castlederg
· Dennet Inter-Change, Donemana
· Newtownstewart & District Development Association Main Street, Newtownstewart
For more information on any of the PCSP’s activities contact:
Catherine Collins, Policing & Community Safety Partnership, Strabane District Council. Tel 02871 382204 Email: ccollins@strabanedc.com
