British man told Halloween decorations too scary for kids

STEVENAGE, England, Oct. 18 (UPI) -- A British man said police told him to cover up portions of his outdoor Halloween display because it was upsetting children.

James Creighton, 25, of Stevenage, England, said officers visited his home and said they had received complaints from a parent about the gory display, which was inspired by horror film "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," being too scary for children, The Daily Telegraph reported Friday.

Creighton, who said he was using the display to collect donations for charity Cancer Research UK in honor of his late grandmother, said he wishes the parent would have spoken to him instead of going to the police.

"I can't believe it to be honest. I can't see what I've done wrong," he said. "It's so ridiculous it's almost funny."

Creighton said he was baffled when the police showed up at his door.

"When the police turned up I don't think they knew what to say," he said. "They told me there had been a complaint and that I needed to tone it down by taking some decorations down. I'm told someone walks by with young children and they are crying every time they see it."

A Hertfordshire Police spokesman said Creighton was advised, but not ordered, to alter his display.

"We have visited a resident of Grove Road in Stevenage concerning a Halloween display in his garden, following a complaint from a member of the public. We have offered words of advice," the spokesman said.