Trick-or-treating in Tier 3 South Yorkshire this Halloween - what you need to know

Trick-or-treating is banned in South Yorkshire this year because of Tier 3 restrictions aimed at halting the spread of coronavirus.
By Claire Lewis
Published 30th Oct 2020, 08:24 GMT
Updated 30th Oct 2020, 09:01 GMT
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Tier 3 rules prohibit people from different households, unless they have formed a support bubble, from mixing inside or in private gardens.

Groups of no more than six are allowed to meet in public spaces outdoors.

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The rules are enforceable by the police and fines can be issued for those who breach them.

Trick or treating is not allowed in Tier 3 areas due to restrictions around different households mixing indoors and on private land, such as gardens (Photo: Getty)Trick or treating is not allowed in Tier 3 areas due to restrictions around different households mixing indoors and on private land, such as gardens (Photo: Getty)
Trick or treating is not allowed in Tier 3 areas due to restrictions around different households mixing indoors and on private land, such as gardens (Photo: Getty)

Clarifying the rules around trick-or-treating this Halloween, South Yorkshire Police said: “Our overall policing approach around Halloween will be the same as previous years. We will have an increased number of officers on duty carrying out additional patrols to help to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable evening.

“We will also work with our local authority partners to address any reports around anti-social behaviour and will continue to take a common sense and proportionate approach to suspected breaches of Covid regulations.“In Tier 3 areas, such as South Yorkshire, traditional trick-or-treating where you go and knock on someone else’s door would breach the regulations as it means people from different households would be mixing.“We will be directing people to their local authority for the latest public health updates and advice around Halloween activities.”

South Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Dr Alan Billings, said trick-or-treating this year would put people ‘at unnecessary risk’ and urged people to celebrate differently.

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He said: “In Tier three, which we in South Yorkshire find ourselves, trick-or-treating is off the cards, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop, we can have just as much fun at home or in the safety of our household bubbles.

“The last thing anyone wants is for the police to have to get involved.

“We all have a responsibility now to get ourselves through what could be a very difficult period and to keep ourselves, our families and friends, and our neighbours, as safe as we possibly can.”

Breaches of Covid rules can land people with fines of £200 for the first offence, doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400.

Organisers of illegal gatherings of 30 people or more can lead to fines of £10,000.