Stay Safe this Halloween & Bonfire Night

Stay Safe this Halloween & Bonfire Night

Good Evening all,

Please note some useful information below to keep you and your families safe during Spooky Season. This can also be found on our website.

Spooky Season is here! Stay safe this Halloween and Bonfire Night

As the days get shorter and the darker nights draw in, it's time to be extra vigilant about home security and personal safety.

We’ve launched our Mischief Fortnight campaign to help keep our communities safe during this busy period.

We'll be sharing plenty of crime prevention advice and safety tips on our social media channels to help you and your loved ones stay safe.

As we get ready for Halloween and Bonfire Night, you'll see more police officers out and about in your neighbourhoods. They'll be keeping an eye on things to prevent crime and make sure everyone stays safe.

Officers will be stepping up patrols in neighbourhoods and near popular event spots to make sure everyone is enjoying themselves safely and responsibly.

Stay safe this Halloween

Halloween can be a scary time for people who do not like surprises or callers at the door. Make sure you talk to your child about respecting their neighbours and not approaching properties that have ‘no trick or treaters’ signs in the window. If you're not keen on trick-or-treaters, download and print our "No Trick or Treating" cards to display in your window. This will help stop unwanted visitors, especially for the elderly or vulnerable.

Home security: Lock all doors and windows, close curtains or blinds and be mindful of what you post on social media. Have you shared you’ll be out of the house and left cars unattended?

Safe trick-or-treating: Children should always go out with an adult, and never go alone. Plan a route together and be cautious of strangers. Share your location with your loved ones and trusted contacts if you’re going out.

High-visibility: Wearing bright clothing or costumes, with light up LED torches or armbands can motorists spot children on busy roads.

Firework safety

Fireworks and bonfires can be enjoyable and a great opportunity to bring people together. We recommend attending organised community firework and bonfire displays rather than doing this at home. If you doing a display at home, ensure you have buckets of sand, water, or fire extinguishers to hand to put out any flames.

This Bonfire Night and Diwali be sure to learn the firework code ahead of hosting people at your home. Remember it’s an offence to throw or set off any firework (including sparklers and category 1 fireworks) in or into any highway, street, thoroughfare or public space.

Party season

It’s great to have friends and family round to your house for a get together or party. Whether your inside or in the garden, make sure you lock your vehicles, doors, and windows to stop opportunistic burglars. With people coming in and out of your house, it’s important not to leave the door on the latch, or keep your garden gate propped open. Explain to your guests that home security is very important and that they should keep their valuables and car keys close to them.  

At this time of year, we often see a rise in car theft and car-key burglaries so make sure your keys are kept in a signal-blocking pouch, away from windows and doors. If you can, make sure your guests are able to park in a secure place like the driveway or garage. If this is not possible, park next to street lighting or next to CCTV. Steering locks are a fantastic way to deter thieves looking for a quick steal.

 

There are more top tips on how to keep your family, pets, and neighbours safe this Mischief Fortnight please head to our darker nights advice page.

If you are affected or have concerns about anti-social behaviour in your area, please call us on 101. Calling 101 means the situation does not need an immediate response any can be used to report suspicious behaviour, intelligence on a crime, or simply report a concern.

Call on 999 if you or someone else is in an emergency situation or there is a threat to life. This can include, but is not limited to, an out-of-control fire, fireworks being thrown at public transport or aimed at people, dangerous driving, and a theft/burglary in progress.

Stay safe & vigilant

Aldridge Neighbourhood Police Team