YOUR County Gazette has teamed up with the police in the Taunton, Wellington and West Somerset areas to take the horror out of Hallowe’en on Saturday.

Police want people to have fun, but warn they will crack down on crime and anti-social behaviour on one of their busiest nights of the year.

Officers will be out in force to ensure trick or treaters behave in the right spirit, while extra staff are being drafted in to field an expected surge in phone calls.

Under Operation Ghoul:

*police and trading standards will check shops are not selling fireworks to under-18s;

*retailers are asked not to sell flour and eggs to unaccompanied under-18s;

*parents are encouraged to accompany younger children;

*older children are requested to respect those who do not want to be trick or treated.

Taunton-based Supt Trevor Margenout said police want people to have fun “safely, legally and with consideration”.

He added: “We’re employing a range of measures to minimise anti-social behaviour in Somerset West and won’t tolerate individuals who spoil the evening, intimidate others or participate in illegal or anti-social-behaviour.”

Chief Insp Martin Hull said 999 should only be called in genuine emergencies – nuisance incidents should be reported on 0845-4567000.

He added: “We know it can be potentially worrying and frightening for vulnerable members of the community, particularly the elderly.

“Our aim, with our partners, is to provide reassurance and support and make our communities feel safe and be safe.”

To listen to a selection of real 999 calls taken on Hallowe'en last year, click on the video below.

*The police, in conjunction with the County Gazette, have produced a poster for people who do not want trick or treat callers.

The poster is available to cut out and stick on your door or window on Page 20 of today’s Gazette, can be downloaded from this story or can be picked up from police station front offices.

To download the poster, click here: Halloween Poster.pdf