AS Hallowe'en and Bonfire Night approach, police are urging people to be considerate to their neighbours when celebrating these events.

Additional police patrols in West Devon have been arranged for the period leading up to Hallowe'en and Bonfire Night and the police force is co-ordinating activity around that week in an event named Operation Everest.

PCSO Danielle Moore-Dunstan from Okehampton Police Station will be issuing shops in North Tawton and rural east Okehampton with posters residents can put in their windows if they do not wish children to knock or ring their doorbells during Hallowe'en.

PCSO Moore-Dunstan said: 'Please be considerate and do not knock or ring doorbells of properties that are displaying a poster. They may be homes of the elderly, disabled or families with very young children.'

Police want children to have fun over this exciting time of year, but encourage parents to educate their children in the safety aspects this involves and support police in their actions if youngsters are to be disciplined.

PCSO Dunstan-Moore said: 'Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team in Okehampton will be conducting high visibility patrols over the forthcoming weeks in our car parks and beauty spots to deter criminals. We will issue drivers with leaflets that advise how to keep your vehicle safe while visiting our rural areas.

'There will also be officers conducting checks on the vehicles within our communities, to educate and encourage drivers about vehicle maintenance, speeding and wearing seat belts.'

Police patrols will also be increasing in Tavistock and surrounding areas. Sgt Dave Anning from Tavistock Police Station said: 'Operation Everest will focus on anti-social behaviour, and while the Hallowe'en and Bonfire Night celebrations are usually undertaken very responsibly in Tavistock and the surrounding villages, please be aware that police and environmental health officers will deal firmly with calls where people behave badly.

'It is perfectly in order to make reasonable noise until 11pm, but after that you must be considerate to your neighbours. It is also illegal to set fireworks off within 50 feet of the centre of a highway, so please do not be tempted to set off fireworks on or near roads.'

Sgt Anning also wants to remind parents to accompany children if they are going out 'trick or treating' this Hallowe'en.

'People are more inclined to open the door and join in if groups are clearly accompanied by adults. The throwing of eggs and flour won't be tolerated and shops in the town will refuse to sell eggs and flour if they think it's going to be used for that purpose.

'Have fun and respect the wishes of those who don't want to join in — that way everyone will have a good time.'