Tricky treats

Just when did 'Trick or Treat'-ing become such an integral part of UK yoof culture?

I can remember when Hallowe'en meant apple bobbing and pumpkins (although I can't remember why it did). Trick or Treat has, I believe, crossed the Atlantic from our colonial cousins, and it's a pain in the arse. "Give us some sweets or dosh, grandma, or the flowerbed gets it." Nice.

There is an apocryphal story of an Italian diplomat who visited London for the first time and found small boys begging for money on virtually every street corner. he reported as much back to his shocked superiors in Italy. The explanation was that he visited on November 4th, the day before Guy Fawkes Night, and children were doing the 'Penny for a Guy' thing.