HALLOWEEN is one of those days on the calendar that tends to get hijacked every year by teenage thugs.
Like St Patrick’s Day, it’s used by some as an excuse to engage in mindless, anti-social activity.
Thankfully, the young kids going around the doors trick or treating are mostly oblivious to the sinister behaviour of others. For them, it’s just a time to dress up and get their bags filled to the brim with goodies.
For the emergency services it’s always a hectic night as unauthorised and unsupervised bonfires get dangerously out of control.
On Friday morning, some of our public spaces will bear the scorched scars from the night before, resembling the scene of a plane crash.
Some people will fail to heed the repeated warnings about the dangers of fireworks and find themselves in A&E with disfiguring injuries.
Halloween can also be a distressing time for animals and some suffer from extreme acts of cruelty. The usual advice to keep your pets indoors throughout the festivities should be heeded.
Apologies if I am sounding somewhat curmudgeon. By all means enjoy Halloween – especially for the sake of the children. But please do what you can to make it a safe and enjoyable night for everyone – including our four-legged friends.