Dyfed-Powys Police is urging parents to ensure their children are ’nice monsters’ when they go trick or treating this Halloween.

The force has launched its ’Op Bang - be a nice guy’ campaign, which aims to tackle anti-social behaviour over Halloween and bonfire night.

Neighbourhood policing teams will increase their patrols in the lead-up to, and on, Halloween and bonfire night, which this year fall during the school half-term holidays. They will also be speaking to children and young people at school assemblies and youth clubs, advising them how to act lawfully and responsibly.

Officers are reminding youngsters that some people do not like unknown callers coming to their door, and will be handing out posters to people who do not want trick or treaters to knock to put in their windows.

Shop owners can also display posters pointing out that eggs and flour will not be sold to people aged under 18 over the next few weeks. Eggs and flour are common ingredients thrown at as ’tricks’ during Halloween.

Chief Inspector Richard Hopkin, from the Community Safety Support Team, said: "While Halloween can undoubtedly be a great deal of fun, it can also be a particularly distressing time of year for some of the more vulnerable members of our communities, especially the elderly who might not want trick or treaters at their door.

"Fortunately, the majority of communities we police don’t experience a great increase in crime at this time of year, but there can always be one or two people who spoil it for everyone else. We don’t want people’s enjoyment to get out of hand and cause people to feel threatened in their own home. I would therefore urge trick or treaters, and parents out with children not to knock on doors where the poster is displayed.

"To reassure residents we will be increasing patrols to enable us to react quickly to anyone who uses Halloween or bonfire night as an excuse to commit anti-social behaviour. If this is the case we encourage them to call us on 999 if it is an emergency or 101 for non-emergencies."

Anyone who would like a poster to display asking trick or treaters not to call can contact their neighbourhood policing team on 101. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired, text the non-emergency number on 07811 311908.