Professional clowns’ union Clowns International condem ‘killer’ craze which they say is giving their trade a bad name
The US-imported craze has been slammed as 'sinister'
PROFESSIONAL clowns fear they could be forced out of a job because of the "killer clown" trend that has swept the country.
The world's oldest clowns' club has slammed the US-imported craze as "sinister" after reports that people across the UK are dressing up as scary-looking clowns and making threats to scare bystanders.
Spokesman Rob Bowker from Clowns International said: "These idiots are undoubtedly affecting people's awareness of clowns and undoing a lot of good."
Police forces have been called out to dozens of incidents over the weekend after the fad, fulled by social media, travelled from America to Canada, Australia and now the UK.
David Rotheram, also known as Coz The Clown, is the latest to condemn the act after he noticed a worrying decline in bookings.
Related stories
Mr Rotheram has been clowning around in his hometown Port Isaac and all over Cornwall for over 25 years after taking over from his father, who started the family business in 1983.
He said: "The stories about scary clowns are having a knock on effect - especially for me because as far as I'm aware I am the only professional clown in Cornwall.
"Ever since scary clowns have been trending on Facebook I've noticed a drop in interest.
"Normally I get an inquiry on Facebook everyday but things have gotten seriously quiet.
"I understand clowning is different and people often have varied opinions - there is definitely a stigma attached but most professional clowns love what they do.
"If the quiet spell continues I will look into re-branding myself and instead of 'Coz The Clown' I will just be 'Coz' in an attempt to step away from the stigma."
I can't believe that people have been carrying hammers and knives.
David Rotheram
The menacing clowns were apparently influenced by Stephen King's horror story, It, which has a clown villain called Pennywise.
King tweeted saying: "Hey guys, time to cool the clown hysteria, most of em are good, cheer the kiddies, make people laugh."
David said he was worried to be out in public in his costume in case he was mistaken for a killer clown.
He added: "I am concerned that if I finish a show and go to the supermarket I will be attacked.
"I've seen people write on social media that if they see anyone dressed as a clown they will attack them.
"I would hate to have to stop clowning and pursue other work - that would be incredibly sad.
"I can't believe that people have been carrying hammers and knives."
David said that he tried to dumb down his act to make it less scary for young children.
He added: "I do different things to avoid scaring children for example I put off painting my face until i am performing and do it with the kids so that they see the transformation.
"I also don't wear a wig or paint my face completely white."
While Noeleen Breem aka Clown Silly Tilly said: "We are concerned about the impact on our reputation, the suggestion that clowns are something to be feared."
Officers in Thames Valley, Norfolk, Suffolk, South Wales, Cubria, Gloucestershire, Bedfordshire, Essex and Northumbria are investigating reports of members of the public being chased or threatened by people wearing clown costumes.
Some were even said to be wielding weapons.
Today the Sun revealed the teenage son of an England football star has been suspended from his private school for making "killer clown" threats to other kids.
The lad was ringleader in a sick social media stunt that caused eight schools to be evacuated.
Police were called in.
While in London, a knife-wielding clown chased a young girl through a park on her way to school.
Horrified mum Lucy Cheree Fraser said that her daughter is “now frightened to go to school” after the creepy encounter.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368