So it's best to be prepared - with a 300-page guide which includes instructions on how to deal with members of the pagan community. London's Metropolitan Police force have produced a diversity handbook offering officers a range of dos and don'ts when it comes to followers of a range of religions and beliefs, from atheism to Zoroastrianism, druidry and shamanism.
They are advised to avoid touching a witch's Book of Shadows, or spellbook, and handling the ceremonial dagger known as an athame.
Police are also advised not necessarily to panic if they encounter a person in the nude with hands tied together.
"Some ceremonies include a blindfolded, naked participant, whose hands may be bound," says the guide.
"This is in accordance with ritual and has the full consent of the participant."
On witchcraft, officers are told, "Witches have a Book of Shadows, which contains a handwritten record or diary of their personal progress as a witch. "This book is regarded as private and special and should not be touched by anyone but the author. When entering a witch's home do not touch an athame without the owner's permission."
The manual warns officers they may particularly encounter worshippers armed with ceremonial daggers on April 30 and May 1 during Beltane, a fire festival which sees pagan and wicca worshippers celebrate the sun god.
It goes on, "During the Beltane Bash that celebrates the festival of Beltane, it has become a custom for some to wear athames in various sizes, sometimes sword size, on a belt, as a visible symbol of their pagan faith and to wear them in the streets. "These are not intended to be used as an offensive weapon but might be misinterpreted as such."
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said, "It's a resource officers can refer to should they need to but it's not required reading."
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