Police in Bucks, Beds, and Herts prepare for rise in anti-social behaviour during Halloween

Police are also expecting to see a higher volume of 999 calls over the spooky season

Author: Charlotte Evans-YoungPublished 29th Oct 2022

Police across Bucks, Beds, and Herts are expecting to see a rise in anti-social behaviour as Halloween and Bonfire Night approach.

As well as an increase in anti-social behaviour, the forces are also preparing for more 999 calls than usual.

"There is an element of mischief"

Neighbourhood Inspector for Aylesbury Vale, James Davies, has explained the type of behaviour they're expecting to see over the spooky season: "Halloween gets bigger every year, we see more people out trick or treating and it is a fun evening.

"However, there is an element of mischief, putting it lightly, where we see people chucking flower and eggs. We also get elements hanging around who've obtained fireworks off the internet."

Message to the local community

To tackle the problem, Mr Davies has said there are preparations in place: "We're putting out messages to the local community, delivering leaflets, and handing out posters.

"We're also visiting shops and saying 'maybe don't sell eggs and flour to teenagers in the run up to Halloween' and we're doing test purchasing operations using our police cadets."

"We will have extra staff out"

He added: "We will have extra staff out. I always have my neighbourhood police teams out and there will be some dispersal orders in place that I've authorised, covering certain localities that we get more anti-social behaviour in than others."

Mr Davies also concluded by urging people to not call 999 unless there's an emergency and instead turn to the police website for less urgent help.

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