IT'S good to see efforts being made to prevent anti-social behaviour in the run-up to Hallowe'en and Bonfire Night.

Over the past couple of years there have been numerous incidents of people being disturbed either by weeks of fireworks going off or by unwanted visits from trick or treaters.

And whether there's no malice intended by youngsters knocking on the door for trick or treat, many older people are wary of an unexpected knock once it's gone dark.

Posters distributed for display in front windows saying whether a trick or treat visit is welcomed are a good idea and will, hopefully, be respected.

If trick or treat is to become as big a tradition here as it is in America then it does need to be properly organised.

Keeping children safe on the streets is equally as important and adults should be ready to keep a close eye on small groups doing the rounds.

Hallowe'en and the concept of trick or treat has all the ingredients for quite a charming festival, with children dressing up and houses decorated with lanterns and other paraphernalia, so we shouldn't let it be spoiled by ill will, when a few sensible precautions might prevent bad feeling.

In recent times there have been moves to clamp down on the early use of fireworks and letting them off at all hours of the night. It's important the desire to stop people misusing fireworks isn't allowed to wane.

Firework use should really be restricted to Bonfire Night, and the weekend closest to it for organised displays.

For weeks before and after nights are disturbed by the incessant noise from firework explosions and most people are dead set against allowing their use outside the immediate period around Bonfire Night.