Advice for a safe Halloween and Bonfire Night

This time of year can be a really fun time, dressing up for Halloween and going to Firework displays!

There are, however, many people across Teesside who feel vulnerable around this time of year, and Cleveland Police is asking those of you who celebrate Halloween and Bonfire Night, to do so in a safe and respectable manner.

Please remember:

• If someone’s house isn’t decorated and there isn’t a lit pumpkin visible inside or outside the house, then they probably don’t want to be approached -they could be vulnerable or scared
• Make sure if you are dressed in dark Halloween costumes at night, that you take extra care crossing the roads- drivers might struggle to see you
• Using threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour to cause harassment, alarm and distress is an offence – it’s not just “mischief” or “having fun” around the time of Halloween, or any time of the year
• Throwing a firework in a public place is an offence - not least that it could cause significant physical and emotional harm to any person or animal nearby
• Have fun – but please do so within the law – we are here to keep people safe and we will take action if any behaviour is unlawful and poses a threat of harm

If you have any information about crime and antisocial behaviour, call us on 101 and speak to our Control Room.

If someone is in immediate danger, or if there’s an emergency, dial 999.