Horror clown craze: Police in plea over prank near Shropshire school
Tucked in a passageway, a clown lurks with the intention of scaring children as they walk to school. This image was taken in Upper Church Street, near The Marches School in Oswestry.
It is the latest incident in a bizarre craze that is causing West Mercia Police increasing concern.
Police were seen knocking on doors on Oswestry yesterday after complaints were made about this clown. There were also unsubstantiated reports of a clown lurking around Grove School in Drayton and another report of a clown chasing people in Muxton, Telford.
And it was revealed today there have been 37 reports of incidents involving clowns in the West Mercia Police area in recent weeks, with at least three in Shropshire between last Wednesday and yesterday. The police say that the reports include people posting on social media, as well as sightings of people dressed as clowns.
Dyfed-Powys Police said that around 30 reports of clown-related incidents were made to them over the weekend.
Most of the calls were to report sightings of clowns, some people reported feeling scared and there were isolated incidents that are being investigated further. No arrests have been made.
Sergeant Rhys Williams, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said: "Dressing as a clown is not an offence, but deliberately scaring someone, causing harassment, alarm or distress could lead to arrest. There is also the possibility that you could attempt to scare the wrong person and they could retaliate.
"Please be mindful that what seems like a bit of fun to you, could not be seen the same way by those on the receiving end of this prank.
"Anyone who commits a criminal offence should be aware that dressing as a clown does not make them exempt from being investigated and dealt with through the criminal justice system."
Clown craze started in America
The craze, which originates in America, involves people dressing as clowns and trying to surprise members of the public in an attempt to scare them.
Superintendent Kevin Purcell, of West Mercia Police, called on those taking part in the pranks to think about their actions.
He said: "Since last week we have received reports from scared and worried members of the public. We believe this is linked to a wider trend.
"While we understand that such incidents could be considered pranks by some I would like to appeal to those carrying out this behaviour, or thinking of taking part, to really consider the distress and fear they could cause people, particularly the more vulnerable members of our community such as children and the elderly."
Supt Purcell also warned that those responsible could face police action over the incidents.
He said: "I would also warn them that there are further consequences to their behaviour. Not only could they by committing a public order offence, which will see police action, their actions could cause delays for other emergencies requiring police attendance."
Thames Valley Police said they had received 14 reports of incident in just 24 hours and Chief Superintendent Andy Boyd said that the time taken to deal with the complaints was a waste of police resources.
In Norwich a 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of public order offences after allegedly dressing as a clown and jumping out on a woman in a park, screaming and then chasing her.
The victim was walking through Eaton Park in the city at around 8.24pm on Sunday when she was targeted in the creepy prank.
A string of other forces across Britain have dealt with reports in recent days of people dressed as clowns acting suspiciously and frightening members of the public.
In one of the most serious incidents a masked man carrying a knife left a group of children aged 11 and 12 "upset and distressed" when he jumped out on them on their way to the Hermitage Academy in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, at 8.40am on Friday.
A separate report saw two 12-year-old boys, one wearing a clown mask and another a V for Vendetta mask, go to Howletch Lane Primary School in Peterlee to try to scare children in the playground.
In Suffolk, a boy "younger than a teenager" was chased by "several people dressed as clowns" in Beatty Road, Sudbury, at 8pm on Thursday, Suffolk Police said.
The horror writer Stephen King, famous for his novel It, which featured a murderous clown called Pennywise, has also waded in on the issue.
He tweeted:
