Sorry, no trick or treat here please - Scots council warns youngsters over Hallowe’en pranks

By FRANK URQUHART
Published on 11/10/2012 11:55

A SCOTTISH council has launched a campaign to prevent youngsters playing trick or treat pranks on their unsuspecting neighbours in the run up to Hallowe’en.

• Moray Council in warning over trick-or-treating, or Guising, as its known in Scotland

• Youngsters have started throwing eggs and flowers at houses

Throughout Moray children have traditionally played a prank by knocking on doors and running away before the occupants of the house can answer the call on what is known as “knockie doorie” night.

But in recent years some children have started throwing eggs and flour at front doors and windows causing annoyance and expense to those who are targeted, according to Moray Council. And the council is now urging youngsters to leave householders throughout the area in peace in the run-up to Hallowe’en.

A council spokesman explained: “Moray Council’s team of community wardens are now working with shopkeepers across Moray to help stop young people getting access to flour and eggs. The Moray Community Safety Partnership is also appealing to parents to assist by ensuring that their children do not have access to eggs or flour from home.”

He added: “The community wardens have also created a poster which people can display on their doors to deter guisers at Hallowe’en. The posters – which say ‘Sorry, No Trick Or Treat Here Please’ – are available from any of the community wardens or from the council’s anti-social behaviour office in Elgin.”

Andy Jamieson, the council’s anti-social behaviour co-ordinator, said: “The practice of throwing eggs and flour at innocent people’s homes causes great distress and expense to the occupiers and for that reason the community wardens and retailers are trying to stop young people getting their hands on these products.

“I would also appeal to parents to assist with the campaign by not allowing eggs and flour to be taken from the home.”