Halloween warning as police prepare for busiest night of the year

Police chiefs are braced for a sharp rise in call outs as the region gears up for Halloween and Bonfire Night.
Halloween is the busiest night of the year for policeHalloween is the busiest night of the year for police
Halloween is the busiest night of the year for police

Reports of crimes and other offences slumped earlier in the year as lockdown measures were introduced in an effort to contain the growing coronavirus outbreak.

But rates have crept up in recent months as pandemic restrictions were eased, leaving officers uncertain of what to expect from what is usually one of their busiest times of year.

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“I suspect things may ramp up now that we’re in the autumn season,” said Durham’s acting Police, Crime and Victims Commissioner (PCVC) Steve White.

Durham’s acting Police, Crime and Victims Commissioner (PCVC) Steve White.Durham’s acting Police, Crime and Victims Commissioner (PCVC) Steve White.
Durham’s acting Police, Crime and Victims Commissioner (PCVC) Steve White.

“Halloween, traditionally, is the single busiest night for most police forces across the country – more than Christmas, more than New Year, more than summer bank holidays.

“It will be interesting to see, with the current restrictions, assuming they stay as they are, what the demand level will be on the service.

“But now that we’re back to pre-COVID demand levels it’s worth bearing in mind what it may look like and what the demands will be.”

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White was speaking at a meeting of the Durham and Darlington Police and Crime Panel, which was held by videolink and broadcast via YouTube.

Concerns were also raised about anecdotal reports of increased use of fireworks in recent weeks, but the PCVC said he had not been made aware of such a rise, although it was also admitted there may be a ‘lag’ in data reporting.

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