DON'T knock on strangers' doors' is among the trick-or-treat tips being dished out by police ahead of Halloween.

Police are also telling parents their children should:

  • wear 'bright clothing'
  • take care not to scare vulnerable people
  • never go trick or treating without being accompanied by an adult
  • never go into a stranger's house
  • keep to well-lit areas

The force's Neighbourhood Teams for southern Oxfordshire put out the advice this week while also warning potential pranksters that they would be carrying out 'high-visibility patrols' over Halloween 'to deal with any incidents of anti-social behaviour'.

Bicester Advertiser:

Pic. Getty

Other things not to do

Among the officers' other advice for 'a fun and safe Halloween' was the tip: "If a house is displaying a 'no trick or treat sign' please don’t knock on the door."

They also warned youngsters: "Children don’t be offended if your local shop does not serve you with eggs or flour.

"We have been working with local stores to discourage their sale to young people."

Will you be following every piece of this advice? Let us know what you think in the comments

Turning their focus to those staying home on October 31 this year, the force reminded anyone who felt 'nervous or unsafe': 'Don’t open your door if you’re unsure who is there. Use your spy-hole, look out of a window, and use your door chain if you decide to open your door'.

Download a Halloween do-not-disturb police poster from HERE