Stay safe during Halloween and Bonfire Night!

With Halloween and Bonfire Night just around the corner, and the evenings getting longer and colder, the borough of Kensington and Chelsea have begun their seasonal crackdown on anti social behaviour.

Officers across the borough have already distributed thousands of leaflets and posters to residents in the borough designed to promote responsible trick or treating.

The posters display a ‘no trick or treat’ sign to be stuck in the windows of properties in the run up to the festivities.

Superintendent Simon Rose, head of Operations, said: “In Kensington and Chelsea we are encouraging responsible ‘trick or treating’, which allows people who wish to take part in the celebrations to do so in a safe and respectful manner, whilst respecting the privacy of residents who do not and preserving the safety and well-being of the more vulnerable members of our community.

“Obviously displaying this poster is no guarantee that you will not be visited on Halloween but it does make it clear to parents and other responsible ‘trick or treaters’ where callers will be welcome.”

Safer neighbourhood officers are continuing to patrol at key times across the borough, at transport hubs and visiting schools to discourage criminal activity around this time of year and are working closely with Test Sale operations with Trading Standards to monitor the sale of fireworks, alcohol and over the counter weapons.

Screening arches will also be in place around the borough as well as metal detection wands as part of a system to deter the carriage of weapons.

Halloween and Bonfire night are ideal opportunites for criminal activites with the use of costumes to conceal a weapon and people willingly opening their front doors without checking first who is visiting them.

Commander Christine Jones from the Met’s Territorial Policing Command Centre said: “We are here for London and to help make sure that everyone can enjoy the festivities and stay safe.

“I would like to stress that our operations are not aimed at demonising young people, the large majority of whom behave safely and responsibly. However those intent on committing crime and anti social behaviour will face the consequences.”

The Met are encouraging people to contact their local Safer Neighbourhood team for more information or guidance. In an emergency dial 999.

Image via somewhereintheworldtoday, Flickr.