MORE police officers are hitting the streets in a bid to clamp down on any seasonal trickery today.

Redbridge Police have been working overtime in the run-up to Halloween, keeping an eye out for any antisocial behaviour.

It follows a series of drives carried out by safer neighbourhood teams, which have been working with schools to warn youngsters about the consequences of any ill-thought out pranks.

Some shops in the borough, including Tesco, High Road, Goodmayes, are not selling flour and eggs to anyone unable to prove they are aged 18 or over, as the night for trick or treats approaches.

Increased police patrols will continue until Bonfire Night, when the Metropolitan Police-led Operation Bright Spark, will also be running.

The annual drive sees police and council workers team up to comb the streets for any nuisance revellers and clamp down on shops which do not obey strict rules about the sale and storage of alcohol and fireworks.

A police spokesman said the increased patrols will “provide reassurance to the majority of our community who enjoy the Halloween and Bonfire activities, and to deter antisocial behaviour and the misuse of fireworks by the minority.”

A number of ghostly-themed gatherings are also planned, with nurseries, schools and clubs all getting into the Halloween spirit.

At Ilford County High School, Fremantle Road, Barkingside, youngsters donned their scariest costumes in time for a visit from author David Gatward, author of spine-chilling series The Dead, The Dark and The Damned.

He spoke about his motivation to write the chilling works before signing copies of the popular novels.

l For your own No Trick or Treat pull-out poster, see page 20 of this week’s Ilford Recorder.