Message from Haringey Council: Halloween high alert – stay safe this autumn

The following is a message form Haringey Council.

With Halloween and Bonfire Night fast approaching this is a reminder to all residents that Haringey remains in Tier Two of the regulations and we are determined to protect our communities and contain the spread of the virus in the borough.

We understand this a time of year where people would normally congregate together but as part of our Autumn nights planning, we would encourage everyone to comply with social distance rules and remember you must never be with more than six people outside. Read the government’s Tier 2 guidance (external link).

Public Health England are encouraging families to think twice about trick or treating this Halloween. They advise that children going door to door, ringing on the same doorbells and rummaging in the same bowl of sweets, is an unnecessary risk.

However you intend to celebrate Halloween, please consider vulnerable residents, who may be particularly anxious and alarmed by repeated knocks on their door.

Council officers will be involved in engaging with local businesses to ensure they are compliant with the regulations which includes shops not selling age-restricted fireworks to youngsters, and our team will be carrying out random visits to make sure that all rockets comply with the regulations.

We will be making sure illegal bonfires are cleared from streets and parks and will be working with police colleagues to stamp out any kind of anti-social behaviour.

Haringey Council take this issue of fly-tipping extremely seriously and as an additional part of our Autumn Nights planning, we will take action against anyone who fly-tips in the borough. You can report any incident through the council’s Wall of Shame.

As many families prepare to have events at home this year, we are urging people to keep a look out for potential arson risks in your local area and be mindful when disposing of rubbish, to help reduce the risk of arson attacks.

Cllr Mark Blake, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: "These have been some of the most challenging times our residents have ever experienced, but we have worked so hard to combat the threat of Covid-19 and we cannot take our foot off the pedal now.

"I appreciate a number of people will want to celebrate Halloween and Bonfire Night but we have to follow the rules that have been put in place and I urge everyone to stay at home where they can and respect the rule of six both indoors and outdoors. Together we can help keep the number of Covid cases down and get back to some kind of normality."