Mercury Opinion: Trick or treat – a night of fun or fear?
The issue of Hallowe'en and trick or treat is one that divides people. For many, it is simply children visiting family, friends or neighbours and indulging in a bit of harmless fun that results in them coming home with a handful of sweets.
Unfortunately, for many others, particularly the elderly and the vulnerable, it is a night filled with fear.
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Hallowe'en trick or treat is one of those customs that has grown rapidly during the past few decades.
Twenty years ago, very few people were involved in the custom. It was simply an American tradition that we saw on our televisions.
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Now, more and more shops are filled with costumes and supermarkets pile up the pumpkins.
In the best examples, the night has become a family event.
Young children supervised by a parent visit neighbours and friends and it is pleasant night for all those involved.
In the worst examples, the event is hijacked by youths expecting treats who are quite prepared to throw eggs, flour or abuse on a refusal.
It is not surprising, therefore, that it is a night filled with uncertainty for many elderly or vulnerable people.
They, quite rightly, don't like answering their doors to strangers after dark.
In past years, Leicestershire police have reported a whole series of problems associated with trick or treat night.
They have done a lot of work to try to minimise the problems and the situation has improved.
We hope that these improvements will continue.
That is why we are more than happy to carry a full-page poster that the police have put together for tonight.
The poster simply states: "No thanks trick or treaters. Please don't knock on this door as we do not wish to take part."
It is a simple, but effective measure if those involved heed people's wishes.
We have no wish to be killjoys and hope that those taking part have an enjoyable night.
Let's also hope that those taking part also honour the wishes of those not wanting to be part of the tradition and it is a peaceful night for all.
Posters can be downloaded here:
Comments
by City_C10
Friday, November 02 2012, 9:32PM
“No idea what your post is about there MacMonkey regarding this issue and topic area?”
by MacMonkey74
Friday, November 02 2012, 2:29PM
“Could it perhaps be that the message is getting across and that instances of anti-social behaviour are less frequent than previous years.
Either way it's here to stay and is now part of our culture (and has been in some areas for 40years) in the same way that another import - curry, is probably the most popular dish now, in fact it's what I'm eating for my lunch this very minute.”
by Rachel_Leics
Friday, November 02 2012, 12:32PM
“nope they havent macmonkey 74 x”
by MacMonkey74
Thursday, November 01 2012, 3:31PM
“So no-one had any issues then? Thats quite surprising. I would have thought at least one person would have a story to tell...”
by City_C10
Thursday, November 01 2012, 2:58PM
“I agree it should be banned, as other have said, it is begging and is scary for the the elderly and single women, and even men. Some of these people who do it look a bit too old...I had a group of teens who looked 18+! They were not very friendly and scared my wife at first!”
by Rachel_Leics
Thursday, November 01 2012, 11:07AM
“Ummm i think it can be both some kids do it and yeah sure it is harmless fun, but i have seen older kids do it and they swear and scare they older people :( i think it should be banned x”
by heisspartacus
Thursday, November 01 2012, 10:36AM
“Perhaps it could be a council sanctioned method to collect council tax arrears”
by MacMonkey74
Thursday, November 01 2012, 10:20AM
“Come on then, lets have all your tales of woe from last night and I'm sure if nothing bad actually happened you will be able to make up some kind of exaggerated story to vindicate the pre-event moans. Obviously there will be some genuine cases of trouble makers hijacking the event but those kinds of people are just as likely to committing acts of antisocial behaviour every other day of the year so it's a bit unfair to blame Halloween.
It occurred to me that few people I saw even knocked on doors that weren't clearly marked as being willing to 'receive' trick or treaters. Every person we visited seemed genuinely happy to be part of it too.”
by Rodders65
Thursday, November 01 2012, 9:58AM
“That's one of the three legalised begging dates out of the way for another year, two more to go, Penny for the Guy and Carol singers.
Thank goodness for the rain on Wednesday night, I had one halloweener which was one to many imo.”
by DBLeicester1
Wednesday, October 31 2012, 11:41PM
“Ok so no one on here actually knows that the Halloween tradition of what has become "trick or treat" started here in the UK. The Americans stole it from us as it's been around for centuries. The Celtic celebration of harvest and all hallows eve means It's not an American import but a UK export but obviously there are people too ignorant to find out the real story............as usual.”