We’ve had to rip down our Halloween decorations because they’re ‘triggering’ our neighbours – people need to grow up
COUNCIL killjoys have forced a family to tear down their Halloween decorations after neighbours complained about pretend body bags hanging from a tree.
Mum Caroline Ashley, 41, placed two life-sized props upside down dangling above plastic gravestones to welcome trick-or-treaters in Liverpool, Merseyside.
But she was stunned when a council worker knocked on her door to demand she remove the “offending” display.
It followed a visit from a “really upset” local who turned up on Caroline’s door to say she was “triggered” by the decorations.
Caroline was forced to take them down as the props had been hung from a tree on a patch of council-owned grass in front of their home.
The worker even returned the next day on September 25 to check they’d been removed.
Baffled mum-of-two, Caroline, of Liverpool, said: “I’ve always loved Halloween, I’ve been decorating my house for six years.
“I started getting a few bits and it’s just got bigger.
“I don’t want to offend anyone – that wasn’t the intention. It’s just a Halloween decoration.
“A neighbour was really upset, it obviously triggered something. It’s the quickest the council has come out for anything.
“The council came and said ‘you’re going to have to take them down because it’s not on your land’.
As the two inflatables were hanging from a tree on a patch of council-owned land in front of her property, Caroline says she was obliged to take them down.
The hospitality worker previously shared pictures of her display on Facebook, asking: “Are the body bags too much?”
They’ve since gone viral, racking up nearly 4,000 ‘likes’.
One woman jumped to Caroline’s defence, posting: “Not too much at all! If you don’t get at least one Karen calling your display ‘too scary’ or ‘tasteless’ you have failed.”
Liverpool City Council has confirmed that a complaint was received and was acted upon.
How to enjoy Halloween safely and legally this year
- If you have Halloween decorations up in or around your property, make sure the area is well lit to avoid any potential injuries.
- Make sure the sweets you hand out are clearly labelled to avoid dangers such as allergic reactions.
- Don’t take the Halloween pranks too far – especially in cases when people don’t wish to take part in Halloween as this could result in trespassing or harassment.
- Be aware of noise as this could lead to complaints.
- Keep an eye on your pets as the loud noises around them like constant door bell ringing may panic them.
- Once Halloween is over, make sure all decorations are put away and rubbish is removed.
Failure to comply with guidelines like these, could result in hefty fines of up to £10,150.
Rob Price, Head of Litigation Department at HCB Solicitors, explained: “Not everybody loves Halloween and may not welcome bright lights shining in from their neighbour.
“A statutory light nuisance claim can be made under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 if artificial light interferes with the use or enjoyment of another home.
“In cases where your lights are causing issues for your neighbours, you may be served with legal notice and if you do not tone down or remove your decorations you can be fined up to £5,000.”