Police Warn 'Killer Clown' Trend Could Be Coming Back

Remember last year around Halloween when a load of dickheads dressed up as killer clowns and chased people with baseball bats? Yeah, well it's reportedly starting to happen again.

American police have warned people about possible clown sightings because of the upcoming release of It.

Pennywise, the title character of It, pretty much epitomises the scary clown gimmick, so authorities are thinking that a similar trend to last year will happen again.

Credit: Warner Bros

"It is anticipated that 'creepy clown' sightings could be reported starting as soon as September, in part due to the fact that the movie IT will be released in theatres," The Pennsylvania State Police department said in a statement.

The trend got so out of hand last year that it actually became a criminal offence to dress up as a clown in public.

Thames Valley Police issued a warning to anyone planning to do so after a number of young children were scared and others were stabbed or injured.

At the clown craze height, the force dealt with 14 clown-related incidents in 24 hours. Chief Superintendent Andy Boyd told the Evening Standard: "Some of the behaviour that is being reported would lead to arrest. We don't want to spoil the Halloween fun but we do want people to feel comfortable and safe.

"You need to consider the ramifications of your actions and how you are making people feel. You may be arrested if you are putting people in fear."

Last year a video was released showing a clown being run over by a gang of teenagers after it knocked one of them over using a wooden plank.