POSTERS are being distributed to shops and supermarkets across Carmarthenshire in a bid to stop trick or treaters wreaking havoc this Halloween.

Shopkeepers are being asked to help stamp out anti-social behaviour in the lead-up to Friday night by not selling flour and eggs to young people.

It is just one of a number of activities taking place to make sure both young and old have a ‘Happy Halloween.’ The authority’s Community Safety Partnership has produced posters for shops to display on their premises which have a clear message for youngsters out to cause mischief.

Posters designed to deter trick or treaters have also been produced for householders to display in their windows, one is to deter trick or treaters stating: “No callers please, thank you,” and the other says: “We welcome Halloween callers with children in costume.”

The posters can be downloaded from the council’s website and are available from the council’s customer service centres as well as from local Neighbourhood Policing Teams.

Police say they will be stepping up patrols to hotspot areas during the period as well as visiting licensed premises in a bid to stamp out underage drinking.

Partnership chairman Mark James said: “While Hallowe’en can undoubtedly be a great deal of fun, it is often a particularly distressing time of year for some of our more vulnerable community members, especially the elderly.

“With this in mind we are urging trick or treaters to think carefully about which doors they knock on this Halloween, and if they see these posters in the windows to please take notice of them.”