Families in parts of England have got the green light to trick-or-treat after Boris Johnson’s spokesman declared they should use ‘common sense’. But there’s a ghoulish set of rules – and some areas are worse-hit than others. We’ve explained what’s going on

Trick-or-treating will be allowed at some homes but not others in England as harsh new social distancing rules take the axe to Halloween.

Boris Johnson’s spokesman today said parents should use their “common sense” when deciding whether to take kids round the neighbourhood for sweets this Saturday.

Any trick-or-treating will fall under exactly the same rules as other social gatherings in Tier 1, 2 or 3, the spokesman said.

But that means some people will be allowed to trick-or-treat and some people will not due to the complex maze of lockdown rules, and how they apply to private property.

In Tier 3 areas, it appears homes that open straight onto the street will be legally allowed to help trick-or-treaters – while those with a front garden or block of flats will not.

People in Tier 3 will, however, be able to give kids sweets if the kids stay on the other side of the garden gate, it seems.