Trick or treaters urged off streets

South Auckland parents are being urged to send their children to a Halloween disco instead of letting them go trick or treating this weekend.

Bluelight, an initiative between police and the community, is holding a disco in Papakura in an attempt to keep young people off the streets this Halloween.

Bluelight national co-ordinator Brendon Crompton said Halloween had become more popular in recent years. However, with the rise in trick or treaters, police had also noticed a rise in complaints from the public.

Mr Crompton said police often spent Halloween attending calls from elderly residents and people who lived on their own who were worried about people lurking in backyards or felt intimated by groups demanding sweets.

"Some people turn all their lights out and sit in darkness because they don't want anyone coming to their door. We are trying to avoid that."

Mr Crompton said the potential for children to be targeted by criminals - be it street gangs or sexual predators - also increased on Halloween night.

Given recent reports about youth gangs, Mr Crompton said there was also a fear that trick or treaters could wander down the wrong road - one that belongs to a territorial youth gang.

The Halloween disco offered parents a safe and cheap alternative to such dangers.

"We accept that Halloween is going to happen but how about you send your kids to us, dressed up in their costumes, instead. We are offering them an environment where it's safe, drug, alcohol and violence free."

Mr Crompton said similar Halloween activities last year attracted 7500 children throughout the country.

Halloween disco

Where: The Papakura Recreation Centre, next to the graveyard.
When: Tomorrow , 7pm to 9pm.
Theme: Halloween.
Who: 5- to 12-year-olds.
Cost: $3 a ticket, 1000 available.