Campbelltown police say dressing up as clowns to scare won’t be tolerated

CAMPBELLTOWN police have sent out a stern warning to anyone considering dressing up as a clown to frighten people: “Don’t be so stupid”.

People in evil clown masks are pranking in areas in Sydney’s west. This video still is from DM Pranks which makes films of clowns scaring people.

CAMPBELLTOWN police have sent out a stern warning to anyone considering dressing up as a clown to frighten people: “don’t be so stupid”.

Hooligans in clown costumes were seen in the area last night with sightings reported on social media in Minto, Ingleburn and Campbelltown.

Campbelltown police Inspector Tara Norton said no incidents were reported to police or arrests made but they were aware of the activity.

“There’s the potential for retaliation or people could be seriously hurt or could die by trying to get away,” she said.

“You also don’t know if the person has a physical condition or mental condition where this behaviour could have disastrous effects.”

This image has made its way around social media with some suggesting somebody dressed as a clown was punched. Picture: Facebook

Inspector Norton said patrolling police would be on the look out for offenders in the coming days.

“Don’t get involved with a group of people going out to do something so ridiculous and dangerous. If you do, be prepared to face the consequences which will be serious,” she said.

“There is absolutely nothing funny about scaring people and using fear to do it.”

The craze started in the United States where videos emerged on social media of people dressed as clowns with weapons such as knives and axes trying to scare passers-by.

The scary clown from Stephen King’s “It”.

It is unknown if the people dressed as clowns in the Campbelltown area were carrying weapons.

There have also been reports from the US of the ‘clowns’ trying to lure children.

Coulrophobia — the fear of clowns — is believed to be among the most common phobias in the world.

Halloween masks on a wall at at a Halloween costume store in the US where a series of creepy clown sightings caused a wave of hysteria. Picture: AFP

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CCTV footage from the US shows an armed thief robbing a Domino’s store wearing a clown mask.