Please behave on Hallowe'en Night

POLICE in Yeovil and South Somerset are hoping today’s Hallowe’en festivities will be a fun-packed event on what is traditionally their busiest night of the year.  

They are working with partner agencies and shopkeepers under the Operation Relentless banner to ensure that the ‘trick or treat’ night enables communities throughout Avon and Somerset to enjoy the festivities in the right spirit.

Police have pledged to be relentless against anti-social behaviour.

As in previous years, retailers are again being encouraged to support the police operation and refuse to sell flour and eggs to unaccompanied under-18s, helping to ensure everyone has an enjoyable night.

For what has often been the police’s busiest night on the calendar, extra staff are being drafted into the force communications centre at Taunton and Portishead to deal with an anticipated increase in the number of 999 emergency calls and non-emergency calls.

Police are urging people not to abuse the 999 calls system and only report genuine emergencies to the 999 number.

Supt Ian Smith said: "Hallowe’en has become one of the busiest nights of the year because of the numbers of calls we receive from the public.

"Like our colleagues in neighbouring forces, Avon and Somerset Police have been busy planning and preparing for the Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night period, aiming to stamp out any anti-social behaviour and violence."

Supt Smith reminded people that reports of eggs and flour being thrown at property or nuisance behaviour from youths at people’s doors should be referred through the police’s new non emergency line – 101.

In the lead-up to the Hallowe’en weekend, police, schools, retailers and Neighbourhood Watch groups in Somerset East have been working together to encourage people to plan for a safe and fun time.

Parents of younger children taking part in the Hallowe’en festivities are being encouraged to accompany their children or ensure they remain in groups, wear reflective or bright clothing and inform their parents of where they will be.

Older children are being encouraged to respect those people who do not want to take part in ‘Trick or Treat’.

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