Melbourne dad fights back over ‘clown purge’ to prove clowns aren’t scary

A MELBOURNE dad is fighting back to champion the happy clown this Halloween, even as costume hire shops report increased demand for clown costumes.

Mick Guerin says not all clowns are scary with Aariv, 6, Amber, 7, and Yasmin, 10 dressed for thrills this Halloween.

A MELBOURNE dad is fighting back to champion the happy clown this Halloween as costume hire shops report increased demand for clown costumes.

Mick Guerin, 44, of Narre Warren said his three children, aged 11, nine and six, are so frightened by images of scary clowns that he is dressing as a happy clown for the neighbourhood Halloween party.

“My children have developed a phobia about clowns that I think is unnatural,” Mr Guerin said.

“I want them to see that clowns are meant to be at the circus, they’re fun and they make people laugh. I thought if I dressed up as a clown at our Halloween party they might see clowns as the entertainment they’re supposed to be.”

Mr Guerin said his children do not have Facebook accounts but friends at school have shown them photos of the scary, sinister clowns popping up throughout Australia.

“They have told me I will horrify people if I dress as a clown so I think this has to stop,” he said.

MENACE: Clown purge craze hits Melbourne

Other Melbourne Halloween party goers are jumping on the clown trend, with a Savers study of 1000 Australians showing interest in Halloween has almost trebled over the last two years; with 49 per cent now intending to celebrate the occasion, compared to just 20 per cent in 2014.

Party and You owner Richie Ramani said there has been a 40 per cent increase on clown costume hire this year.

“It’s mainly men who have wanted the costumes, aged 16 and up,” Mr Ramani said.

“Last year it was Freddie Kruger and this year it’s definitely clowns.”

Costume Factory owner Zoe Stuart said all of her clown costumes have all been booked and she has ordered extra clown masks and noses for Halloween.

Spotlight spokesman Nick Casey said the fabric chain had already sold 10,000 clown wigs this year.

“I think this year Australians are using this spooky American tradition as a way of re-claiming the friendly clown instead of the frightening one,” Mr Casey said.

Veteran clown performer Alan Sloggett, of Comedy Clowns, said the clown purge had hit his business.

“I’m not getting a look for my usual business of kids parties because people see the word `clown’ in my business name and go elsewhere,” Mr Sloggett said.

“I haven’t been booked for a clown job for six weeks. It almost feels illegal to walk down the street as a clown at the moment.”

While he has received requests to perform as a scary clown at adult parties, Mr Sloggett said his character, Hot Stuff, has always been a happy clown.

“It’s like asking Superman to wear a different suit,” he said.

“I’m not going to change my character after all this time.”

Victoria Police has issued a warning to any Halloween party goers not to dress up as scary clowns this year.

Incidents of people dressed as scary clowns have been recorded around Australia, including Warrnambool, Moe, Mildura and Melbourne, a spokeswoman for Victoria Police, Belinda Batty, said.

“We understand that some people are getting involved for a bit of fun, however some behaviour is not amusing and, in many cases, it is criminal behaviour,” Ms Batty said.

“The penalty for possessing an article of disguise is up two years imprisonment.”

If you feel frightened at any time please call triple-0 (000) or if you have information relating to this type of behaviour call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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