( Received: 2009-11-12 11:20 )
CAROL SINGERS NOT WELCOME
Carol singers are being warned to keep away from doorsteps this Christmas in
case they frighten vulnerable people.
Signs have been given out to residents in South Ribble and Chorley in
Lancashire reading: "Sorry no carol singers, I won't open my door to you."
More than 10,000 cards were produced by the Safer Chorley and South Ribble
Partnership, an umbrella body for police, local councils and neighbourhood watch
groups.
The move, which follows a similar Halloween initiative aimed at trick or
treaters, has been criticised by some in the community as going against the
festive spirit.
Father Timothy Lipscomb, the Vicar of Preston, told the Lancashire Evening
Post: "It is a terrible state of affairs that people are terrified of answering
their doors, so this is what they have to do."
Mary Robinson, a Conservative member of Penwortham Town Council, said: "Are
they saying that they have replaced hoodies with Father Christmas hats?"
But a spokesman from Chorley Borough Council defended the idea, explaining the
cards were produced for residents who are too nervous or physically unable to
answer their doors.
He said: "The signs were produced because of a demand from vulnerable people
who are not comfortable answering the door.
"We decided to extend our Halloween trial after a lot of positive feedback
from residents."
Lancashire Police Chief Inspector Richard Robertshaw said carol singing is a
wonderful tradition but children must be considerate.
He said: "Similar cards were first used two years ago for Halloween and they
have been very effective.
"I hope carol singers will be as co-operative and understanding as the
trick-or-treaters have been
"The cards are available from our community police teams and local
Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators. They have also been left in libraries and
doctors' surgeries for people to collect if they so wish."
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