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Thom Roache, five, from Levenshulme loves visiting neighbours to trick or treat
Thom Roache, five, from Levenshulme loves visiting neighbours to trick or treat

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Halloween killjoys

Susannah Wright
4/10/2007

HOMEWATCH bosses have been branded ‘killjoys’ after 4,000 homes were sent copies of a poster telling trick-or-treats to stay away.

The posters, which householders can choose whether to display in their windows, shows a pumpkin with a no-entry sign in front of it, and the words, ‘Sorry, no trick-or-treat here’.

But some parents are angry saying the posters will make youngsters feel like mini-pariahs and take the fun out of the fancy dress Halloween tradition.

The posters were sent to homes in Didsbury, Withington, Chorlton, Northenden, Burnage and Levenshulme.

Sean Roache’s five-year-old son Thom is a keen trick-or-treater.

Sean, from Broom Avenue, Levenshulme, said: "Kids love getting dressed up for Halloween and going trick-or-treating is all part of the fun.

"We used to do it when I was a kid and as long as you're going too late or menacing people, I don’t see what the harm is."

Sean, 39, and his partner, Samantha, 36, are parents to five-year-old Thom.

"Thom loves it and of course we always make sure we go with him. We only go to places we know and there’s nothing sinister in it."

The support worker for people with learning disabilities added: "These posters kill off the spirit of Halloween - it’s supposed to be a bit of fun for children. They are being killjoys."

Giulia Draycott, 35, from St Werburgh’s Road in Chorlton, is another parent who believes the posters are an over-reaction.

Giulia, mum of 11-year-old Anya and five-year-old Bethan, said: "Kids look forward to Halloween, and as long as parents are responsible and are supervising them, I think trick-or-treating is fine.

"I understand the problems some people might have with older teenagers doing it, but I don’t think we really need posters. It’s common sense really."

Gillian Price, homewatch co-ordinator for south Manchester, said the posters had not been created because of any specific complaints, but that Homewatch were simply offering a service to residents

She said: "South Manchester Police and Homewatch are committed to ensuring that everyone has a safe and enjoyable Halloween.

"Some people find this time of year particularly stressful as they may find it difficult to answer the door for a variety of reasons.

"By putting our poster in their window they can communicate this to young trick-or-treaters, who hopefully will respect their privacy and not disturb them.

"This is the second year that we are using this poster as it was well received last year. We are also giving out trick or treating tips to ensure everyone has a frightfully good - but safe and trouble-free Halloween."


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Most recent 2 of 4 user comments

   After reading this article, I was bewildered & confused at just what the media focuses on in this problematic world. I found it unbelievable that a ¿respectable¿ paper took this angle about such a good idea which attempts to support the local community. Surely, the whole point of the poster is to give the residents a choice, something that we seem to get less & less of in today¿s society. I would choose to display the poster simply because I do not agree or wish to promote or support Halloween. This is not because I am a killjoy but because I do not believe it is safe in this day & age for children to be knocking on people¿s doors. (It is great that Thom is escorted however the majority who came to mine last year were unaccompanied) Even though my own reasons for displaying the poster are probably different from others, I can see the bigger picture. I believe it is an extremely useful tool for persons who may feel intimidated or threatened by gangs of teenagers wearing hoods & masks on your doorstep late at night demanding the contents of your fridge or your wallet
Keren Seymour
11/10/2007 at 14:56
   I think this is a good idea. It protects ,hopefully,the elderley and vulnerable. Many elderley people don't like to answer their doors at night. A lot are infirm and struggle to get to the door. I have an elderley neighbour of 96 years and i have to disconnect her doorbell on Halloween to stop her becoming too distressed by the constant callers. Additionally she sits in her back room with only a small side light on for fear of an unwelcome trick because she has'nt answered the door. A continuous stream of trick or treaters must be very tiring and stressful. In my experience alot feel pressured into giving a few pence for fear of reprisals. Pence they can ill afford to give. No one is saying take the enjoyment out of it for children. But we should remember it's about choice and all this poster is doing is giving people the option of saying. No thanks. Its all about respect. Have'nt we just had a respect week in South Manchester. I think your making a mountain out of a mole hill with this article. Leave it to individual choice I'm sure everyone will have a much better time. Eddy(Brooklands)
helen Jones
10/10/2007 at 17:05
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