Many of our more vulnerable neighbours, that live within our community, will be dreading that inevitable chap on the door, come the end of the month. Looking out windows and seeing screaming kids all dressed up, looking for money, toffee apples and bags of goodies or in some instances – even worse – your possessions.

In general, Halloween is normally a fun time for many kids and parents alike but within our elderly community this time of year can bring great worry. Many elderly people don’t want to be seen as unsocial and will open the door to the local children, but what about the people that they don’t know? It’s a sad fact that many thieves will prey on the vulnerability and trusting nature of some of our elderly neighbours at Halloween.

So, what can be done to protect them and stop them becoming another Halloween crime statistic.

1. If you have a door viewer have a look too see who is there, if they are all dressed up and you don’t recognise them simply don’t answer the door.

2. If you have to open the door, first put on a door security chain, this will limit the gap which the door can open, thus allowing you to see and talk to the people first.

Vigilant parents can also play a part in helping vulnerable groups within our community by keeping theirs and other children away from their elderly neighbours door. Halloween is a great time for most people but for some it can be a time to be genuinely very afraid.