No clowning around
Is the killer clown craze back and how did it start? Latest sightings ahead of Halloween 2018
A "KILLER clown" craze took off across Britain in 2016 when a number of the crazed pranksters were spotted yielding weapons.
With reports of the epidemic returning ahead of Halloween 2018, this is the advice you need if you ever come across a creepy clown.
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Is the killer clown craze back?
The disturbing craze returned in September 2017 when a spooky jester was reportedly jumping out on people in an Essex park.
It is feared there could be an increase in sightings in the run up to Halloween.
In 2016, Thames Valley Police were called to 14 reports of people being intimidated or frightened by people dressed as clowns over the course of two days.
Gloucestershire Police received six reports in 48 hours, while in Leicestershire one woman was scared so badly she went into early labour as the craze baffled much of the UK.
On September 20, it was reported that a knifeman dressed as a clown shouted "run or die" at two boys in Dartford, Kent.
And on August 25, a Sainsbury's Local was raided by a man wearing a clown mask.
Shop workers told the Manchester Evening News that a gang of thugs at 10.50pm told them to open the till or else they would be shot.
Creepy clown costumes grew in notoriety thanks to Stephen King's horror novel It, which was released in 1986.
Thanks to a recent film adaptation of the book being released, the popularity in crooks and pranksters adapting the disguise has only increased.
And now two new incidents in recent weeks suggests the worrying trend is continuing into 2018.
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What should you do if you see a killer clown?
Assistant Chief Constable Catherine Hankinson of Greater Manchester Police told The Sun Online last year: "The safety of people is our upmost priority - we want people to feel safe going about their daily lives.
“It’s important to stress that no-one has been physically harmed and I want to reassure people that we take reports of this nature extremely seriously."
But if you do see any individuals dressed as clowns, you should try and keep calm and report the incident to authorities.
Assistant Chief Constable Catherine Hankinson continued: “If you witness an incident, or want to make a report, please contact police as soon as possible.
"To report an incident, people should contact 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, ring 999."
Not so funny... How killer clown sightings terrorised Britain in 2016
HERE are just some of the chilling UK clown sightings in just one week during the height of the craze last year
CHESTER-LE-STREET, Co Durham: A knife-wielding clown pursued four young children, aged 11 and 12, on their way to school.
STRETFORD, Gtr Manchester: Children were left “petrified” by a driver motoring through the streets wearing a clown mask.
GLOUCESTER: Six reports were made of “pranksters” dressed as clowns wielding knives, following people or acting suspiciously.
ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE, Gtr Manchester: A man dressed as a clown with an outfit including “a hockey mask and a blood-stained poncho” was captured on camera.
ELLESMERE PORT, Cheshire: Residents reported clowns roaming the streets. Two teenage girls were said to have been chased.
PLYMOUTH: A man posted a video online showing him being confronted at night in the town by a clown armed with a hammer. Meanwhile, multiple reports were received of people dressed as clowns, including one near a school bus. Another incident saw children chased through woodland.
BROTTON, North Yorks: A young girl reported seeing a figure wearing a clown mask and carrying a blade, while a woman and her daughter were followed by a clown while walking late at night.
SUDBURY, Suffolk: “Several people dressed as clowns” chased a boy “younger than a teenager”, according to police.
LIVERPOOL: A man dressed as a clown was seen driving a Ford Transit van through the city centre.
DUNDEE: Cops were called to Finlathen Park after eight youngsters in clown masks were spotted frightening motorists in the area.
SHEFFIELD: A clown was spotted driving around the Hillsborough area using a mobility scooter. Pictures circulated on social media.
PONTELAND, Northumberland: Pupils at Ponteland Middle School were confronted by a man dressed as a clown on the school grounds who chased them across playing fields.
CLACTON, Essex: Two young girls on their way to school were approached by a pair of male clowns in a black van who invited the girls to a birthday party. The girls fled in terror.
CAERNARFON, North Wales: Residents witnessed a clown lurking near a kids’ play centre late at night.
NEWCASTLE: A 13-year-old boy was given a police warning after allegedly dressing as a clown and scaring passers-by. Cops confiscated a knife.
NORTH SHIELDS, Tyne and Wear: Panicked pupils at Thomas More Academy were rushed inside after a figure in a white mask and red wig was seen approaching schoolchildren.
CRAWLEY, Sussex: A clown was pictured standing on a street corner in the night.
MANCHESTER: Two clowns were seen running from bushes and jumping onto cars outside a shopping centre on Sunday evening.
BRACKNELL, Berks: A clown was picture staring into a restaurant full of diners
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