'Killer clown' craze is no laughing matter as Walsall woman flees masked man

The craze for dressing as clowns to frighten people has spread across the UK sparking a police warning about the so-called 'killer clown' pranksters.

Arguably, the craze pays homage to one of the most well-known scary clowns of all time, Stephen King's Pennywise, his malevolent clown character in the novel, It.

The terrifying trend seems to have emerged in America, where a number of arrests have been made in South Carolina as clowns were spotted allegedly trying to lure children into the woods.

Across the West Midlands too, it seems that copy-cat clowns are emerging, with dozens of sightings, including in Bloxwich, Walsall, where a clown followed a group of women into a pub.

And a 22-year-old woman also from Bloxwich had to run away from a 'killer clown' that chased her down the street.

Shaniece Price was driving along the High Street on Sunday, when the man in a mask and long red hair ran towards her car.

Miss Price, who works in a betting shop, said she fled into a nearby pub but the clown followed her and stood in the doorway.

The clown stared at her before finally deciding to leave her alone.

In addition, a teenager is currently on bail after being arrested on suspicion of common assault whilst dressed as a clown, following an incident in West Bromwich on Saturday.

It is alleged that the boy, dressed in a clown mask, approached a 14-year-old on Swan Lane at 4.45pm and grabbed his arm.

As Halloween approaches, more people are becoming concerned that they may not be able to discern between someone celebrating Halloween and someone being a 'killer clown.'

Emma Rose Faulkner, 27, of Wolverhampton, said : "I've been terrified of clowns since I watched the film It. I'll definitely be staying in at Halloween."

In Newcastle, some schools have had to 'lockdown' after clowns threatened to enter.

As it looks like the craze is due to continue the writer of the famous horror novel, Stephen King, has now also waded in on the issue. He said: "Hey, guys, time to cool the clown hysteria-most of em are good, cheer up the kiddies, make people laugh."

Cops criticise clown craze

Police have already condemned the craze which has left dozens of people across the UK terrified.

Both West Midlands Police and Staffordshire Police have advised caution in response to numbers of clown sightings and incidents across the Midlands.

Staffordshire Police has issued a statement following a number of incidents.

A spokesman said: "Staffordshire Police is aware of the craze of clowning around, where groups of people are taking to wearing clown costumes.

"Victims are not finding such instances a laughing matter - and no one likes being taken for a clown.

"We have a received a number of reports relating to this phenomenon, across the area, and we're also aware of rumours that are circulating on social media.

"While we appreciate Halloween is just a short time away, scaring people – especially children and vulnerable people – in this way is completely unacceptable and could constitute an offence."

So far, West Mercia Police say it has received 37 reports relating to clown incidents from 'scared and worried members of the public'.

There have been 22 sightings in south Worcestershire, six in north Worcestershire, three in Shropshire, two Herefordshire and four Telford and Wrekin.

West Midlands Police urged anyone who spots a clown and is concerned to call 101.