POLICE today called for community tolerance as Halloween approaches.

POLICE today called for community tolerance as Halloween approaches.

Special posters have been designed warning of the potential dangers of selling eggs to youths, and letting unaccompanied children knock on strangers' doors.

But Suffolk police are also calling on residents to be “a little more tolerant” to high-spirited youngsters enjoying themselves on October 31.

Crime reduction officer Ben Cook said: “We hope this year people will take a responsible attitude to Halloween.

“Thanks to continuing support from the media, members of the public have responded well to our requests for them to act responsibly over the last few years.

“There will be extra patrols throughout the county, the helicopter will be deployed and each area has a set of initiatives for tackling any disturbances caused by unruly celebrations.

“We don't want youngsters to think we are picking on them and trying to spoil their fun. Indeed I would also like to appeal to the public in general to be a little more tolerant of the antics of those celebrating Halloween.”

The posters have been produced to address issues surrounding safety at Halloween and will be distributed to schools and businesses.

One is designed for residents who want no part in the ghoulish goings-on and can be displayed in windows to let creepy callers know “The occupants of this house kindly ask you not to call on Halloween”.

A poster urging shopkeepers to be careful who they sell eggs to warns that people throwing them could end up with egg on their own face when they are hauled into court for criminal damage.

And the third poster asks parents if they would normally let their children call unsupervised at strangers' homes.

Members of safer neighbourhood teams will be visiting schools in the run-up to the day to press home the message.

Halloween - harmless fun or monstrous menace? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk