While supermarkets are determined to sell Halloween to get us to enter into the spirit of it all in the same way as the Americans there are signs that the British are not so keen.

Posters stating ‘No Trick or Treat’ or ‘Say No to Halloween,’ are on many front doors. Unfortunately they just flag up those that are unwilling to give treats and might just as will state ‘Trick Please’ or ‘Throw Egg Here.’

Windows are boarded up and letter boxes nailed down – but this only happens if you don’t give treats to the ghouls on your doorstep.

The British spirit of ‘fair play’ means that ghouls and spectres give us a chance to change our mind and provide treats. Unfortunately our stubborn British Bulldog natures mean we won’t, so we’ll still get egg on the door.

The police are a lot more in evidence, but don’t manage to scare anyone, as usual.

Everyone is warned not to frighten the elderly – that’s the job of care homes.

We live with hospital supebugs, surveillance cameras everywhere, a binge drinking culture and a Nanny state – what’s to fear at Halloween?