TRICK or treaters face a crackdown by police in an Aberdeenshire town amid fears that Halloween celebrations have taken a more sinister turn.
Shopkeepers in Stonehaven are being urged by officers not to sell egg and flour to young people in case the materials are used to pelt doors and moving cars.
Adults seen using the “bombs” could potentially face a £40 on-the-spot fine or be reported for breach of the peace.
The move was welcomed last night by SNP councillor Graeme Clark, who said he planned to raise the issue with Aberdeenshire Council’s education department in the hope that head teachers across the north-east would raise the issue with their pupils.
He said: “I have no time for this sort of carry-on. If you are an older person and your door went at night, of course you are going to be worried.
“I know young people are under pressure to do things, get on Facebook and be part of things but I really don’t like this Americanisation of guising. It is just a way for supermarkets and shops to make more money.
“You don’t want to be a killjoy but young people have to behave responsibility.”
While some have welcomed the two-week operation – which will also target misuse of fireworks and underage drinking – others have queried the use of police resources.
Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone said: “While I am concerned at a cultural level about the wholesale Americanisation of our local Halloween traditions, I am disturbed to discover that Police Scotland see this as a priority and that Stonehaven should be targeted in this operation. I am not aware however, of any such cases in the town or any reason that the level of risk is higher in Stonehaven than anywhere else.
“In these days of limited resources and competing priorities, I believe that police officers might find better things to do with their time.”
The operation, which will be launched today with extra patrols between 8pm-midnight, was organised by Sergeant Michaela Gallagher, of the local community policing team.
She said letters had been sent to shopkeepers urging them not to sell flour and eggs to young people around the Halloween period.
She said: “We would urge them to use their commonsense, particularly when it appears obvious what they are to be used for.
“Around Halloween and Bonfire Night there are issues with egg throwing and flour bombs with front doors and cars being hit.
“Trick or treating has expanded. It is far more prevalent and we are looking to stop disturbances before they occur.
“We are not trying to stop people having fun but we don’t want people to suffer alarm and distress at this time of year.”
Kathleen Smith, of Party Plus in Stonehaven’s Market Street, said Halloween had become increasingly popular.
She said: “We were exceptionally busy last year and Halloween seems to have taken off.
“It is definitely a time for kids but more adults do seem to be taking part. Maybe that is part of the issue.”
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