POLICE say a Powys supermarket's decision not to sell eggs or flour to under 18s ahead of Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night is part of its annual campaign to cut anti-social behaviour.
Tesco in Llandrindod Wells announced this week that it will not sell eggs or flour to under 18s from Saturday, October 28, to Wednesday, November 1.
The decision was met largely with dismay by local residents, but now Dyfed Powys Police have confirmed they were behind the request.
The force has provided posters to the spa town’s Tesco store and other local shops as part of Op Bang, its Hallowe’en/ Bonfire Night annual campaign.
“Op BANG (be a nice guy) is an annual campaign that runs every year in the lead-up to Hallowe’en and fireworks night, with the aim of reducing anti-social behaviour,” said a Dyfed Powys Police spokesperson.
“While reports of anti-social incidents over Hallowe’en have decreased in the past few years, Dyfed Powys Police continues take part in the multi-agency campaign, spreading awareness and reassurance messages.
READ MORE: Powys Tesco store bans sale of eggs and flour to under 18s
“As part of Op BANG, shops are offered posters advising that they will not sell eggs and flour to people under the age of 18, and posters are also made available for people who do not want trick or treaters to call. These assets have been available for many years.”
A post appeared on the popular Llandrindod Solutions Facebook community page on Wednesday (October 25) announcing the news.
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Richard Vellacott, the store’s community champion, said: “At Tesco Llandrindod Wells, from this Saturday, 28th of October, until Wednesday the 1st of November, we will not be selling flour or eggs to anyone under the age of 18-years-old.
“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”
The announcement was accompanied by a poster featuring animated characters holding eggs and flour, with the message ‘Trick or treat? Be a nice monster’.
One local resident replied: “Madness, anyone under 18 who wants to get it will now go in and get it before the dates stated.”
Others claim that eggs and flour are vital components that make up ‘Mischief Night’ – an informal holiday on which children, teenagers and adults engage in jokes, pranks and vandalism, or host parties.
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