Bedfordshire Police issue Halloween safety advice
Halloween weekend is typically one of the force's busiest nights of the year.
Bedfordshire police are asking people to stay safe and respect others this Halloween.
Halloween weekend is typically one of the force's busiest nights of the year, with increased reports of things like anti-social behaviour, fireworks and suspicious behaviour.
People are also being encouraged to only visit people they know, and avoid houses that are not clearly decorated for the celebration, or display a do not disturb sign.
Chief Superintendent John Murphy, the Head of Local Policing at Bedfordshire Police, said: "Please remember that not everyone celebrates Halloween, and we would advise only visiting people you know, and avoid houses that are not clearly decorated for the celebration, or if the house displays a do not disturb sign. Remember to respect your neighbours.
“Throughout the upcoming week we can expect increased number of pedestrians, especially young children, in the evenings trick or treating in their neighbourhood. With shorter and darker days, please drive extra carefully to prevent tragedy, and remember to never drive having consumed alcohol or drugs.
“If you are planning a night out with your friends please stick to your limits, and remember that alcohol is not an excuse for anti-social and violent behaviour, your fun night might end up in police custody.
“In terms of safety, plan your night ahead and ensure you plan your route home. Always remember that a person incapacitated by alcohol or drugs is not able to give consent and engaging in sexual activity with them is a crime.
“We would encourage residents to be mindful when picking up the phone to report incidents. Halloween is a time of significant additional demand for us, so please only use 999 in a genuine emergency, such as when the crime is still ongoing or a person is in immediate danger. If your call is not urgent, please consider using the webchat service, or reporting online.
“We will take all reports seriously and any actions such as anti-social behaviour or violence can result in formal action.”
Officers will be carrying out dedicated proactive patrols throughout the weekend, as well as continuing to deal with reports of other offences.
You can find more Halloween safety advice here.