WILTSHIRE Police have urged people to not go trick or treating this year to cut down the risk of spreading coronavirus.

As concerns continue over rising infection rates across the country, people have been asked to find alternatives to traditional trick-or-treating this Halloween.

Officers have urged people to follow current social distancing guidelines which include the rule of six, hand washing and not to use Halloween masks as face coverings.

A Wiltshire Police spokeswoman said: “Fear not though, there are still lots of terrifying ways to celebrate Halloween this year in a safe way.

“You could organise a Halloween hunt in your area; decorate your house or put a Halloween themed drawing in your window; kids can dress up and ‘hunt’ around the local area earning a sweet from their parents for each ‘haunted house’ they can find.

“Encourage neighbours to take part, creating a spooky trail for families to follow,” she added.

A Halloween poster is available on the force website for children to colour in and display.

The Adver has put together a list of spooky events which will be happening between now and Halloween. This includes Ramleaze and Shaw Halloween Scarecrow Trail, Covingham Halloween Pumpkin Trail and more.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue service asked parents the keep children away from candles and open flames while wearing fancy dress costumes.

Fire behaviour instructor Simon Jupp said: “Halloween is associated with candles around the house and in pumpkins. This can pose significant danger to costumes due to the open flames. A safer option would be to use battery operated candles.”

In a video posted on YouTube, Simon set a dress on fire to show how flammable children’s costume can be.

For further information from the police and fire service visit: wiltshire.police.uk/article/6778/Celebrate-Halloween-Safely? and dwfire.org.uk/

For more details of Halloween events in Swindon visit: swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/18799943.listed-halloween-events-happening-around-swindon-year/