It has been three decades since Stephen King unleashed Pennywise, his malevolent clown character in the novel It. No one is quite sure why there have been dozens of sightings across the US in recent weeks, but one thing is certain: the scary clown craze has crossed the Atlantic.
People around the UK have reported a series of sightings of people dressed as clowns frightening children, with six separate reports of “clown incidents” reported by Northumbria police in the past week.
One of the most dramatic occured on Friday morning when a masked man carrying a knife jumped out in front of a group of 11 and 12 year-olds and followed them to school in County Durham. The pupils were left distressed but unhurt by the clown, who was wearing grey tracksuit bottoms, red shoes and a multicoloured top.
Neighbourhood sergeant Mel Sutherland said: “The children arrived at school understandably upset and distressed by this incident and we are currently trying to locate this man.
“We believe this to be part of a much larger prank which is currently sweeping across the USA and parts of the UK. It is very alarming [the man] was carrying a knife – however, we do not think he intended to harm the children and as far as we are aware, this is part of the prank.
“There are currently several social media accounts dedicated to this ‘killer clown’ craze and we are also looking into those and who is using them.”
He appealed directly to those carrying out the pranks to consider the distress they are causing to young children.
Police in Northumbria have been on high visibility patrol in Newcastle in response to the clown sightings. While no one has been directly attacked or injured, incidents have included clowns jumping out from behind bushes and chasing pedestrians down the street.
The force previously issued a warning to a 13-year-old boy from Blakelaw in connection with a clown incident, and a spokesman said the teenager had been carrying a knife as part of the costume.
Other sightings have taken place in Liverpool, where there were reports of a man dressed as a clown driving a Ford Transit van through the city centre, as well as in Caernarfon, north Wales, where a schoolboy filmed a clown standing near a children’s play centre late at night.
Clown sightings have also been reported near to schools in Ayr, Scotland, where parents have expressed anger after their children shared fears about supposed “killer clowns” after rumours.
Can't get over seeing a scary clown driving a transit van through Liverpool city centre today, genuinely scared me to death
— Jimmy Evans (@jimmyevans30) October 6, 2016
Supt David Duncan of Police Scotland said the force had received “a few sporadic reports of individuals dressed as clowns in some areas”. He reiterated that many incidents reported on social media had been confirmed as hoaxes and emanate from overseas.
In Clacton, Essex, two schoolgirls were approached by a pair of clowns who asked if they wanted to go to a birthday party. The incident, which happened in Oxford Road at about 9am on Tuesday, prompted Clacton county high school to ban pupils from leaving the premises at lunchtime.
Acting Ch Insp Darren Deex of Essex constabulary said the force was aware of a number of reports from concerned residents across the county “relating to people dressed as clowns, specifically near to schools during opening times”.
He said it appeared those dressed as clowns wanted to scare members of the public – there have been no reports of physical threats of harm or violence. “These incidents follow on from a ‘craze’ originating in the US whereby people dressed as clowns have been photographed or filmed carrying out various acts with the intention of scaring or causing fear,” Deex said.
“There has been huge public interest in these photographs and videos, particularly on social media networking sites which more often than not do not represent accurate reporting. This inaccurate reporting is further fuelling the craze and creating a perception of fear in the community.”
Deex also warned those thinking of being actively involved in the pranks that “in doing so they may commit offences under the Public Order Act 1986”.
No! Just no! - Caernarfon boy films creepy clown lurking near children's playground in ... https://t.co/xKraRyWG5k
— Jamie (@TheGrandSlams) October 7, 2016
Numerous victims have told of their terrifying encounters with the clowns. Megan Bell, a 17-year-old student with a lifelong fear of clowns, was chased by one as she walked along Queensway in Newcastle on Tuesday evening.
Bell told the Guardian: “I was walking home and saw a figure walking towards me; it was dark so I didn’t think about it. When the person got closer I noticed he was in a clown costume head to toe, and had a mask on. Being terrified of clowns I turned around and ran for what I thought was my life. I was screaming and shouting for help but no one was around, I was chased for about 20-30 seconds.”
It happened to me and i'm shaken and traumatised. Please be careful
— megan bell (@Sexonmetria) October 5, 2016
I HAVE NEVER RAN SO FAST IN MY LIFE. the only thought that goes through your head is 'i'm going to die' its scary and NOT a joke
— megan bell (@Sexonmetria) October 5, 2016
In Brotton, Emma Smith, 39, said she was “frightened to death” after she and her daughter spotted a clown lurking in the darkness. “Me and my 18-year-old daughter Morgan Lee were walking just along Sycamore Road when we heard a strange noise behind us,” Smith told the Gazette. “My daughter turned round, then grabbed my arm saying ‘Oh my god mam it’s a clown’.
“I turned round to see a person in a clown mask wearing dark clothes and he was just stood staring, in a stance with his knees and arms bent out. I told my daughter to just ignore it and keep walking – secretly I was frightened to death as I have nightmares about clowns. They’re one of my biggest fears and we were both scared at the time.”
The Brotton encounter took place last Saturday night and was believed to have been caused by teenagers playing pranks. But Cleveland police are now involved following another sighting on Thursday by a girl who reported seeing one clown possibly carrying a blade.
A force spokeswoman said: “Police were contacted after a young girl had reportedly seen a person wearing a clown mask and possibly in possession of a small knife standing in bushes at Byron Court, Brotton, in a park known locally as Mushroom Park, at around 6.10pm last night, Thursday 6 October.
“The girl was not followed or physically harmed in any way and officers are continuing to make enquiries into the report today.”
There have been a number of arrests in America after reports of men dressed up as clowns trying to lure children into woods, as well as running around with knives and guns. On Thursdsay, horror novelist King told America it was “time to cool the clown hysteria”.
The clown trend has also spread to Australia, where police warned about people “parading in the public wearing clown masks”.
In the UK, anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 101.
