The Lincolnshire Echo is asking children and teenagers going trick or treating this Hallowe’en not to disturb residents who do not wish to take part.

The paper has joined forces with Age Concern and Lincoln City Council to encourage youngsters to respect people’s privacy, and has published a poster which readers can place in their window as a polite refusal to trick or treaters.

Trick or treat is an American-oriented tradition where children dress up as ghosts and ghouls on October 31 and knock on people’s doors to ask “trick or treat?”

However campaign groups say the tradition can be a scary prospect for elderly residents and are asking parents and youngsters to respect the privacy of householders who do not wish to take part.

Lincoln Age Concern spokeswoman Diane Garner said: “I feel trick or treating is quite frightening for old people, especially at a time of year when it gets dark so early.

“We discourage people to open their door when it is dark. I believe some teenagers target old people thinking they will give more generously than others.

“Unfortunately, many residents give money when they cannot really afford to because they feel intimidated. At Age Concern, we feel this is a worthwhile poster campaign.”

Lincolnshire Police have also issued guidelines to parents, children and residents, which say children should not go out unless supervised by a parent or appropriate adult and should only visit houses of friends and relatives.

Police spokesman Sergeant Mark Julian said: “If the trick or treating goes beyond the realms of harmless fun and becomes harassment, then residents should contact us and we will take the appropriate action.”

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