Local police are hoping for a real treat this Halloween - a trouble free evening in Quedgeley and Hardwicke.

Paul Francis, crime reduction officer for Gloucestershire Constabulary, said: “We are not out to spoil anyone’s fun or stop youngsters from getting into the spirit of the evening and going trick-or-treating this Halloween.

“What we want to do is clamp down on the small minority who see Halloween as a chance to intimidate others and behave like yobs.”

Police have produced copies of a poster that homeowners can place in their window to tell trick-or-treaters not to call.

The poster is available from police stations, or it can be downloaded from the home page of the Gloucestershire Constabulary website.

Paul added: “People who enjoy Halloween and actively participate in it need to be aware that not everybody wants to join in.

“So if you see a notice in the window of an address asking people not to call, be a good neighbour and respect the owner’s privacy."