by Lewis Nicol, Owen North and Callum Lindsay

Police Scotland have issued a statement warning guisers to respect people’s wishes and not to frequent any homes that are displaying “no trick or treating” signs. However, are the police focusing too much on this issue or is their position justified?

Jim Graham, 58, from Ayr, said: “I think the police are quite right to take the threat of halloween seriously. I know a lot of older people who will be quite scared tonight. I have noticed over the years that there have been fewer guisers. However, there may be fewer of them but there is a feeling of anxiety around the neighbourhoods, especially since the pandemic.”

It seems that there are a lot of strong opinions on guisers and trick or treating in general. Although, is it as much of an issue as the news makes it out to be?

Halloween seems to be less celebrated each year, with less people wanting to put in the effort to dress up and go out or even put up decorations, especially after the pandemic. Is Halloween a dwindling holiday?

Nicole Moore, 20, from Glasgow, said: “It is a shame. I do think trick or treating is dying out. I used to celebrate it a lot more. It feels pre-covid people used to make a bigger deal out of it.”

Lewis Henderson, 19, said: “Halloween is mostly for kids. It’s a kid thing. As you get older you don’t celebrate halloween, and if you do…phone your doctor.”

Benjamin Smith, 25, said: “I have a minimum of two costumes and get violently drunk every year. I think Halloween gets better as the years go on.”

Visit Scotland have compiled a list of the 13 most haunted places that will give you the creeps. But Halloween isn’t all fun and games.

UWS journalism students asked a range of people what they thought of Police Scotland’s new guidelines a few hours before guisers hit the streets of Scotland. Our findings revealed that there is a cross section of those who agree with cautious police advice and others who argue that Halloween is about letting off steam. Maybe the answer lies somewhere between.

Sinister edge

While some people understand the real definition of trick or treat, others were less clear. In Scotland trick or treating is known as guising and comes with its own innocent traditions such as singing a song or telling a joke. However, there is a more sinister edge to some cultural understandings of trick or treat. One active definition is that guisers demand a treat with the veiled threat of a distasteful prank. That is where Police Scotland’s position is to prioritise public protection.

However, as the hours count down to the big night, will the streets be filled with violent vibes or playful pranks?