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South Weald Brentwood, CM14 5QE

01708 572248 / 0800 2922667

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Did you realise that crime rates increase during Halloween?

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Since Halloween is known as a “prank” holiday that puts the “trick” in “trick or treat,” it may not come as a surprise that small crimes can rise in the days before and after this scary time. How much does crime go up, though? And which kinds of crimes have grown the most?

What kind of crime is most likely to rise around Halloween?

The number of property crimes is going up the most. Vandalism is a common type of property crime, but 60% of these claims involve theft from properties, which can include breaking and entering. Strangely, the number of break-ins goes up whether someone is in the house or not.

Why does crime increase over Halloween?

Crime is usually done by people who see a chance, usually at night and usually while wearing a mask. Usually, putting on a disguise means pulling up a hood or taking off a hat… So, Halloween costumes are the perfect way for criminals to hide their identities so they can walk around late at night on Halloween without drawing too much attention to themselves.

Most crimes happen between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m., with the peak at 10 p.m. On Halloween, trick-or-treaters tend to go out at these times. This means that buildings (homes and businesses) are empty as families walk the streets looking for pumpkins, sweet treats, and harmless “tricks.” They are away from their homes longer than they would be on a normal evening, and businesses may close earlier than usual to make the most of the fun.

As with most holidays, there will be more drinking and drug use on Halloween. This is often accompanied by a rise in crime rates as well. All of these things worked together to make Halloween a bad time for crime.

How can you reduce the danger of Halloween-related crime at your house or place of business?

  • Put money into security lights. Late at night, if someone is sneaking down your driveway or around the back of your building, a motion sensor light is a great way to scare them away.
  • Put money into CCTV. CCTV can’t always figure out who someone is who is dressed as a zombie, mummy, or wicked witch, but it can help place that person at a certain time or place. With the help of public CCTV footage, the police might be able to find out who did it.
  • Don’t tell people on social media if you have to close your business early because of Halloween. If you do this, people will know that your business is empty and will be more likely to break in.
  • Even if you’re home or still working late, double-check that all the doors and windows are locked.
  • We would strongly suggest that businesses spend money on professional security, such as guards on mobile patrols. We’ll be able to keep an eye on your business and let you know if anything “spooky” happens.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team to find out how our security services can help your business.

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