Halloween 2008

Community and partners ensure family Fright Night fun

In October 2008, nuisance behaviour on Halloween night dropped to an even lower level - by nearly 50 per cent compared to the previous year - as a result of targeted intervention by community safety partners and residents. There were just seven reports of criminal damage compared with 14 in 2007, and 26 calls about nuisance behaviour on the streets compared with 48 calls in the previous year.

In the run-up to Halloween, police targeted individuals and areas where problems might have occurred. They issued 'No trick or treat' posters to the elderly and asked shop workers not to sell eggs and flour to children in the days before the event. During the evening more than 32 officers were on patrol, including 11 PCSOs, working with local shopkeepers, Trading Standards and the borough council to ensure that residents could enjoy the evening in safety.

A Halloween Howler event was organised by the Heatherside community, with support from the safer neighbourhood team. The event on the Heatherside recreation ground included entertainment stalls, fairground rides, live bands, firework displays and activities for all age ranges, including babies and seniors.

Hundreds of people from the Heatherside and surrounding areas attended the event, which was intended to appeal to the whole community and provide a diversion away from trick or treating activities. The event was supported by local businesses, schools, community groups and authorities and was the first of its kind on the borough.

Surrey Heath Neighbourhood Sergeant Jon Castell said: "I am delighted that the community worked together to make this first special Halloween event a success. The Heatherside community organised an event which had a significant impact on recorded crime and reports of anti-social behaviour."