A FLOOD of complaints from elderly people about children 'trick or treating' on Halloween has prompted the police to seek help from headteachers.

A letter has gone out to all schools in the area covered by Salisbury Police Division, calling on teachers to make sure every pupil takes home a copy of Halloween Security - a leaflet explaining how to ensure a safe and fun-filled Halloween.

In her letter, WPC Mandy Warren, school and youth affairs officer, says that every year after Halloween she is "deluged with letters from the elderly who have had their homes besieged by small children demanding money or sweets when trick or treating".

"They are then subjected to abuse or damage to their property when they refuse to take part," she says. "I understand and sympathise with their concerns and feel that this event has reached, in many instances, unsatisfactory levels of intimidation."

She warns that "any young person caught committing a criminal offence will be arrested and dealt with by the police.

"I do not wish to stop the children from having fun, but only ask that they remain courteous and law abiding even when refused," she says.