POLICE are urging those taking part in Halloween trick or treating this year to be “s-careful” and “frightfully thoughtful” of others.

Halloween can be a great time of year for many, in particular children and young people, and a great opportunity to dress up and go trick or treating.

However, for some people Halloween behaviour can leave them feeling intimidated and distressed, or they simply don’t want to be visited by trick or treaters.

As in previous years, to help those who do not want to be visited by trick or treaters,West Mercia Police has produced its annual poster for them to display in the window.

Local policing chief superintendent Paul Moxley, said: "We certainly don’t want to be killjoys, we know Halloween can be an exciting time for many people and don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun.

"All we ask is that if you do plan on trick or treating that you are mindful of others who may not want to get involved.

"Halloween trick or treaters can often leave some people feeling intimated or distressed.

"As we have done in previous years, we will have an increased police presence throughout the evening during Halloween with officers carrying out high visibility patrols in key areas to ensure those who are out and about can enjoy Halloween safely.

"If anyone does have any concerns while they are out trick or treating, whether it be anti-social or suspicious behaviour then I would encourage them to approach our uniformed officers on patrol, or report these online."

Residents can also sign up to Neighbourhood Matters, which allows communities to raise concerns directly with their local policing team about anti-social behaviour and crime in their area.

The service is free and those who sign up can choose to receive news and appeals, local crime information and crime prevention advice via a number of different channels.

To sign up to Neighbourhood Matters, go to www.neighbourhoodmatters.co.uk.

To report information to West Mercia Police online, go to www.westmercia.pnn.police.uk

To download the posters, go to the News section of the West Mercia Police website.