Halloween in Haringey (From Haringey Independent)

Halloween in Haringey

10:55am Friday 5th October 2007

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Here was me thinking that Halloween was a bit of innocent fun for kids who dress up as witches, ghosts or devils and go in search of sweets and other treats.

But this October 31 in Haringey is set to be a much more dull and dreary affair.

The council yesterday issued what it called a press release and what I would call a set of rules and regulations on how to have a miserable evening.

Apparently in response to last year’s antics where “groups of youths took the revelry too far” the officials are cracking down on unruly behaviour.

Don’t get me wrong, I wholly buy in to extra police patrols, low tolerance towards anti-social behaviour and egg throwing and a desire to protect the vulnerable. But in my humble opinion Haringey Council has taken all the treat out of trick or treat.

First rule: All trick or treaters must be accompanied by an adult. If you think you are too old or too cool to go with the parents you are too old and too cool to trick or treat. As a rule of thumb only under-12s should be out and about.

Second rule: Only knock on homes with a Pumpkin or other Halloween paraphernalia on display. In Halloween language it means “I am ok with you approaching me”. Apparently.

Third rule: All trick or treating must be finished by 9pm “when most young children would be in bed."

Fourth rule: Teenagers can have parties and dress up but they should not think Halloween is a good excuse to threaten people and make them feel frightened. Nilgun Canver, cabinet member for crime and community safety made the interesting point: “Even nice teenagers can seem threatening when they are dressed in Halloween outfits and are demanding something on a doorstep.”

Even nice teenagers. Horrible teenagers (however defined) must automatically seem threatening. I think put a hoodie in a devil outfit complete with red horns and a pointed tail and it’s a recipe for humour.

Humour? What? On Halloween?

Craig Middleton, Safer Neighbourhoods Inspector, said: "This party season can be great fun, but it shouldn't be at the expense of others."

It can be great fun, but it won’t be in Haringey.