Concerns over road safety, bullying and increased violence and knife crime were the main reasons parents said they did not want children to take part in the tradition on Friday.
The survey by the Safety Education Foundation (CSEF) questioned 460 parents with children under the age of 16 for their views on Hallowe'en.
The poll asked parents whether their child would be supervised while trick or treating and who they would be allowed to visit.
The findings showed that 54 per cent of parents would not allow their children to go trick or treating. Of those parents that would let their children take part, 72 per cent said they would only allow their children to visit friends and neighbours they know.
Patrick O'Malley, head of development at CSEF, said, ‘The results show that parents have a very real concern about safety during Hallowe'en. Far from wanting to dampen spirits on the occasion, we are keen to help children have a safe and positive experience.'
Recommending that children be accompanied by an adult at all times, and restricting visits to friends and family is among some of the advice the CSEF has given, along with making sure children carry torches and stick to well lit streets.
