HALLOWEEN means nothing more than a lucrative night of mischief for many youngsters, who enjoy the fun of dressing up and the chance to re-stock their sweet jars.

But for others the night spells misery and fear.

The elderly and vulnerable in the community dread the sound of the doorbell as trick or treaters request, or sometimes demand, rewards for not causing damage to home and property.

Dressed in scary costumes, and armed with missiles and abusive language, the worst perpetrators pose a real threat. Hand over the sweets or we'll throw something at your house or scratch your car. Don't answer the door and we'll do it anyway.

Youngsters can put themselves in danger, too. Wandering the streets in the dark they can fall prey to attackers, and engrossed in their pranks forget all they have heard about "stranger danger".

Evesham Police have stepped up their Halloween safety campaign this year, a move which has been widely welcomed.

As well as reproducing orange posters for householders to put in their windows if they do not want trick or treaters to call, officers have sent out safety guidelines to all schools in the area in the hope that the message would reach all youngsters.

It includes advice such as have an adult or teenager with every group when trick or treating, always wear a light coloured costume with reflective strips, and treat householders with respect.

It also includes a reminder that throwing eggs, fruit and any other solid or liquid matter at properties is against the law and constitutes criminal damage.

Community beat manager PC Paul Adams said: "It is a difficult time of year for us to police as we have got to get a balance between kids wanting to go out and enjoy themselves and them causing unnecessary anxiety to old people.

"Some kids take advantage and target addresses where they know they are not welcome, so the purpose of the campaign is to protect the vulnerable people and stop trick or treating for people who don't want it and to encourage parents to supervise their children so we can deal with Halloween in a nice way."

One school which is taking note is Bengeworth First School, where head teacher David Braham has strong views on the subject.

Mr Braham said: "The message that the police are sending out about trick or treating is one that we need to take heed of. We in school are addressing this issue through assemblies and class lessons.

"In the light of other problems in society today perhaps we should be working towards a ban on trick or treating because it causes offence and upset to so many people. Perhaps it is a custom that has had its day."

Halloween is, of course, opposed in many religious circles.

The Rev John King of the Vale of Evesham Christian Centre said: "We are not killjoys but we believe that there is a devil who is real and to make a joke about it is not a good idea. The dark side of it is very real. It is unwise mocking it as if it was nothing."