FRIGHT NIGHT ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT

Happy Halloween from everyone at the IW Beacon Online!

The team that answers Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s 101 non-emergency calls is preparing for a busy night. Staffing levels are being increased this Halloween and Community Safety Officers will be on the streets, in force. Last year, across the two counties, the service received more than 3,500 calls between Halloween and Bonfire Night. Superintendent Nigel Hindle, Head of Call Management at Hampshire Constabulary said, “Trick or treating can be harmless fun at best - there are plenty of responsible children and parents. Halloween is our busiest night of the year, and it is therefore important that residents only dial 999 for real emergencies.”

And we are being urged to stay safe while trick or treating, tonight. If you are living on the Island and do not want to open the door, the IW’s police officers are reminding you that you do not have to. Among other precautions, some local shops will not sell flour or eggs to people aged under 18.

Meanwhile, if you are looking for something scary to do this evening, ghosts and dinosaurs come together at Sandown’s Dinosaur Isle, tonight, as children and their families come face-to-face with the sights, sounds and smells of millions of years ago….with the lights out! Visitors should bring torches and can dress up. At Sandown zoo, there are ghost walks taking place today and there are also ghost walks at Arreton Manor.