Killer Clown invasion returns as knifeman in costume shouts ‘run or die’ at boys and masked raiders threaten to shoot Sainsbury’s staff
THE Killer Clown craze is back - with a knifeman shouting "run or die" at two boys and a branch of Sainsbury's being raided by a man in one of the masks.
With Halloween almost a month away, two worrying incidents have emerged related to the eerie fancy dress outfit.
While the craze began in 2016, it continued into 2017 with pranksters carrying out stunts including gathering outside of schools dressed as clowns to scare kids.
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.
In Dartford, Kent, police officers have warned locals to be on their guard after two boys reported being threatened by a thug in a clown costume.
They were cycling near their homes when they claim they were approached by person in a clown costume at about 6pm last Friday evening.
They say a man in the outfit screamed "Run or die!" at them and was holding something "which looked like a knife".
A Kent Police spokeswoman said: "We were called at 6.46pm on September 14th to a report of a person dressed as a clown in Tile Kiln Lane.
"This person was reported to have spoken to two young boys on bicycles. The boys left the area before the incident was reported to the police."
He added: "Patrols in the area were advised of the incident but no person matching the description was seen."
And in Prestwich, Greater Manchester, a Sainsbury's Local was raided by a man wearing a clown mask.
Shop workers told the that on August 25 at 10.50pm a gang of thugs told them to open the till or else they would be shot.
Not so funny... How killer clown sightings terrorised Britain in 2016 when the craze began
HERE are just some of the chilling UK clown sightings in just one week during the height of the craze in 2016
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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Detective Constable Ian Smith, of Greater Manchester Police's Bury division, said: “We have released these images in the hope that somebody can help us identify the two people pictured so that we can speak with them regarding this investigation.
"Although the fact their faces are covered makes it harder to identify them, we are hopeful that people may recognise the clothing they are wearing or their physical features."
It is feared there could be an increase in Killer Clown sightings in the run up to Halloween.