The NSPCC has received more than 100 calls to Childline about so-called killer clowns . Frightened children have contacted the charity to talk about harassment by creepy clowns and a quarter of those who phoned were under the age of 11. Childline has been dealing with calls from children terrified by the wave of clown sightings, with volunteers in both Cardiff1 and Prestatyn2 delivering counselling sessions online and over the phone.
Children have been reported to have armed themselves to defend themselves3 against clowns in Gilfach, near Bargoed4, while in Tredegar5 a 10-year-old boy was left with a bruise after someone dressed as a clown reportedly threw a stone at him6.
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Spike in police reports
A girl from Bridgend7 also claims to have seen a group of clowns last week8. Lacie Payne was playing in the park in Barnes Avenue, Cefn Glas, with her nine-year-old friend, when four people in clown masks emerged from behind some trees. Her mother, Kayley Payne, explained what happened when the children went to the park about 3.30pm on Saturday.
My partner got a phone call and my daughter was screaming, Dad! Dad! Dad!
she said.
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He just slammed the phone down and ran out. Lacie claimed that one of the clowns was carrying a weapon and from her descriptions it is believed to have been a sledgehammer. There have been around 80 reports to police forces across Wales9 over the last few weeks related to the clown craze .
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The craze has continued to spread across the UK.
This picture is posed by a model
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Chilling footage captures a ‘clown’ loitering near a children’s playground:
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Genuine clowns affected
Children have also been targeted online, the NSPCC said, and in one instance a 13-year-old girl was messaged on Instagram by someone posing as a clown who threatened to cut her throat and rape her. A clown production company was even forced to cancel an event at a children s hospital on Thursday due to fears they would be confused with the killer clown craze. The Clown Doctors, who include Dr Rumtumtumich, Dr Lulu McDoo and Dr Poppy Sneezitoff, were due to celebrate 10 years of visiting sick children by putting on a special event at the Great North Children s Hospital, in Newcastle.
But due to the sinister trend that came across from the United States, security at the Royal Victoria Infirmary advised them to postpone the event. Martin Wilson, director at TIN Arts, in Durham, which runs the clown programme, said they were disappointed but hoped the hype would die down soon.
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‘Stay well away’
Fancy dress shops have also been asked not to sell clown costumes to anyone they think might be a prankster. A spokesman for NSPCC Wales said: People getting dressed up as creepy clowns and frightening children should take a long hard look at themselves.
Clowns are meant to make children laugh, but these people are abusing this idea and turning it in to something twisted and warped.
Increasing reports that these clowns are not simply seeking to frighten children, but using them to intimidate, commit crimes, abuse or bully are deeply worrying and this trend needs to be stamped out.
Young people should stay well away from them.
And if they do happen to see a creepy clown out on the streets or lurking near their school they should immediately tell their parents or the nearest responsible adult, and report it to the police where necessary.
The organisation is also encouraging worried children to contact 0800 1111.
You can also seek advice by visiting childline.org.uk
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References
- ^ Cardiff (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ Prestatyn (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ reported to have armed themselves to defend themselves (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ Bargoed (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ Tredegar (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ reportedly threw a stone at him (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ Bridgend (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ seen a group of clowns last week (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ 80 reports to police forces across Wales (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^