BROMSGROVE children are being urged to follow a trick or treat code of practice this Halloween.

Town police say although the event is an exciting time for youngsters, there are potential hazards in children being out trick or treating at night.

Trick or treating is fast catching on in this country and parents are being urged to spend a few minutes talking through safety with the children if they are going to go knocking on doors.

PC Shirley Leath, the new community safety officer at Bromsgrove police, said: "The clocks go back just before Halloween so it will be getting dark very early.

"If children are out and about at night, it is common sense for them to be in small groups. It is also a good time for parents to talk to them about personal safety and emphasise that they should never go into a stranger's home."

PC Leith added police were keen to ensure youngsters enjoyed Halloween without causing others fear, harassment or distress and urged youngsters to respect the police's 'No Trick or Treat' posters where they saw them displayed in windows or in doors.

The code of practice for children says that youngsters under 12 should be supervised by an adult, take a mobile phone or have change for a pay phone and not to eat treats which look as if they may have been tampered with.

Police also recommend taking a torch, avoid calling on elderly people and be careful when crossing the road.

Parents are also being advised to escort young children to the door, find out where their children are going to establish a route and use strips of reflective tape to make sure children are more visible.

Police are also warning motorists out on Halloween to slow down and watch out for children crossing the road or darting out from behind parked cars.