US cops warn of ‘killer clown’ return this month in anticipation of It film release that tells story of demon jester
'KILLER clowns' are feared to be making a comeback after police issued guidance saying they were anticipating sightings over the next few months.
A spate of incidents were reported in Britain last year with several sightings also recorded across the pond in America.
The Pennsylvania State Police department issued a community awareness bulletin earlier this week saying they expected sightings as soon as this month.
The notice was issued in anticipation of the film It being released in the USA on September 9 which tells the story of an evil demon who takes the shape of a clown.
The statement read: "It is anticipated that "creepy clown" sightings could be reported starting as soon as September, in part due to the fact that the movie IT will be released in theatres."
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It said at least a dozen arrests were made last year in response to the scaremongers who left ordinary people terrified with incidents including chasing people and confronting them in car parks.
The force are encouraging people who see the clowns to report them to their local police authority, reported .
An example of the threatening prank saw a teenager dress up a clown before trying to scare a pregnant woman.
Michael March. who was 17 at the time, waited for the woman and her partner to walk past a pub car park before stepping out and banging an axe on the ground.
The woman was so frightened she threw a brick at March who claimed in South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court it was a Halloween joke gone wrong.
Sightings were also reported last year in Essex, Wales, Manchester, and Newcastle with a primary school in Merseyside put into lockdown after a man with a kitchen knife in a clown mask was spotted nearby.
Advice from police in the UK about what to do if you encounter a clown is to remain calm and call the authorities.
Speaking last year, assistant chief constable Catherine Hankinson of Greater Manchester Police said: "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."
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