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Police in the south warn of 'creepy clown' craze

Police across the south are adding their voice to concerns about the latest clown craze from the States

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Killer clown spooks people in Berkshire restaurant

The "Killer Clown" craze continues after one appeared outside a restaurant in Berkshire.

Leah Woodcock was enjoying a meal at Blue's Smokehouse in Bracknell with her partner and two friends when they were spooked by a clown who appeared at the window.

Leah told ITV News Meridian: "We were a bit shocked at first and there was lots of nervous laughter. We didn't quite know what to do.

"When he walked off we realised it was a just kid but it was a bit scary.

"I don't think that they should be going around at night and scaring people. By all means do it in your own home, but not in public."

Man assaulted by 'clown' as sightings in the south increase

Credit: PA

A man has reported being assaulted by a man whose face was painted like a clown.

Police say the attack happened in Richmond Park Road, Dorset. No-one has been arrested.

Dorset Police say they have received a number of reports of people in clown costumes deliberately scaring members of the public. Over the weekend, incidents were reported in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Blandford.

This morning officers received another report of people dressed as clowns. This brings the total of reports in the Poole and Bournemouth areas - since the start of this week - to three.

Credit: ITV News Meridian

While it obviously is not an offence to wear a costume in public, we would ask people to think about their behaviour toward others and what impact it may have. Anti-social behaviour and any actions that cause fear and distress will not be tolerated and could constitute a public order offence. Incidents such as these may seem harmless but can be frightening to those who experience it.”

– Dave Kewley, Bournemouth North Neighbourhood Inspector

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More police warnings about clown pranks

Credit: PA

Hampshire Police is the latest police force to issue a warning about the recent 'clown craze' that involves people dressing up as clowns and jumping out and scaring people on the street.

Officers say they have had a number of reports of these incidents across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. They are warning that pranksters could find themselves arrested for a public order incident.

We don’t want to be killjoys but some of these incidents have been extremely frightening for those involved.

We would ask people to think about the impact of their actions. What to them is a harmless prank, could be an intimidating and threatening experience to others, especially young children and vulnerable people.

Also, by taking part in this craze, people could find themselves in a situation which leads to a public order incident. They could be arrested and ultimately end up with a criminal record.

These incidents are also taking up valuable police time and resources, and will ultimately have an impact on other calls coming into the control room and officers attending other incidents.

This appears to be a national craze at the moment and we would strongly advise people in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight not to be part of it.”

– Superintendent Paul Bartolomeo

"Don't take part in clown prank," warn police

Pranksters who intimidate may face arrest Credit: PA

Police are advising pranksters not to dress up as a clown and frighten strangers with a weapon.

Sussex Police's warning comes after they received "numerous" calls over the weekend from people left feeling intimidated by the new trend.

We are aware this is a trend that has come over from America as Halloween is approaching.

However while is not an offence to dress up as a clown and prank your mates, we don't advise people to do this to strangers in the current climate of heightened security and it is an offence to carry an offensive weapon or an item which could be perceived to be a weapon.

We will respond if someone feels threatened and the culprit could end up being arrested and then they won't find it so funny."

– Inspector Simon Starns

They say last week a cyclist contacted them about an incident - he had been riding north along the national cycle route to Golden Jubilee Way, Eastbourne, on Wednesday (October 5). A person dressed as a clown jumped out from a bush holding what he believed to be an offensive weapon. The man didn't speak to him and made no attempts to harm him but the cyclist was left shaken by the incident.

While we realise that reports of this kind are not restricted to just the Sussex area, the issues of intimidation, potential arrest and waste of public resources are the same across the country and we would urge people to refrain from such activity."

– Inspector Simon Starns

VIDEO: Man chases down 'killer clown'

This man decided to chase down someone dressed as a creepy clown, who confronted him on his way home.

George Birkbeck was walking back from the supermarket on Friday night when his path was blocked.

It didn't take much for the 'clown' to flee.

Last week a cyclist in Eastbourne was startled by a person dressed as a clown who jumped out from behind a bush holding a weapon.

Sussex Police say they're taking the matter seriously.

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