SOUTH Wales School Community Police Officers are carrying out a month-long drive to encourage young people to behave nicely and Be A Nice Guy (B.A.N.G) during the approaching Hallowe'en and Bonfire Night celebrations.

Since the beginning of October, specially trained officers have been giving talks to school pupils about the adverse impact that anti-social behaviour can have on others – however harmless it may seem at the time.

A key focus for the initiative is to raise awareness of the new campaign poster, hailed “Not Everyone Loves Little Monsters At Halloween”, which as part of Operation B.A.N.G has been delivered to hundreds of residents and shops to display in their windows.

Those residents that don’t want trick or treaters at their house can display the poster in their window, which will tell children they don’t want callers.

The School Community Police Officers will also be educating children in the classroom about the posters and how residents might be displaying them.

Inspector Darren Mears said:

“While Hallowe'en can undoubtedly be a lot of fun, it can also be particularly distressing especially for vulnerable people, people who are sick or, the elderly.”

“Our School Community Police Officers have delivered many talks to pupils to help them understand the impact their Hallowe'en antics and tricks can have on others.

“Children have been shown real video accounts of just how bad Hallowe'en is for some people and this helps to bring the police officers’ talks to life.”

The video interviews – which can be accessed any time via the dedicated Schoolbeat website – provide real, emotional accounts of what happened to some people when behaviour escalated into mindless and dangerous criminal behaviour.

Inspector Darren Mears added: “Hallowe'en is a time for people to enjoy. Let’s make sure we do it in a safe and friendly way."