POLICE are issuing signs for South Cheshire people to say 'Yes' or 'No' to trick-or-treaters this Hallowe'en in a drive to reduce nuisance behaviour.

Last year Cheshire Police took 1,500 complaints from callers reporting anti-social behaviour on October 31.

Now, they have handed out hundreds of cards for residents to put in their windows so youngsters know whether they are welcome or not and are advising shops not to sell eggs or fireworks to youths.

Cheshire Police hope the signs will discourage youths from knocking on doors where they are not welcome on Tuesday.

Business coordinator for Cheshire Police Robin Curry explained: 'There is a tick on one side if you want children to call and a cross on the other if you don't. On both sides we ask them to respect the occupants.

'We hope this will reduce the number of incidents which may result in a phone call to the call handling centre and leave call takers to deal with serious incidents.'

Police are also urging shops not to sell eggs and fireworks to youngsters.

Mr Curry added: 'We are asking traders to be thoughtful when selling eggs to youngsters. When selling fireworks they need to be vigilant that people are over 18.'

Police have warned that fixed penalty notices with fines of £80 will be imposed on teenage troublemakers.

Sergeant Kerrie Snowdon of Sandbach Community Action Team said: 'We are taking on extra patrols in the period leading up to Hallowe'en and Bonfire Night. This is to prevent anti-social behaviour with fireworks and to prevent bonfires being lit on open land.

'We would appeal for information from the public if they see fireworks being sold to youths and also if they see youths in the streets in possession of fireworks to ring in and let us know.'

* Trick-or-treat tick cards are available at shops, libraries, police stations, council offices and some medical centres across South Cheshire.