Unless you’ve been lucky enough to escape news of the ‘killer clown trend’, you’ll most definitely be aware of the terrifying craze that has made its way to the UK from the states.
It involves people dressing up as clowns, jumping out and scaring people - frighteningly, some reports have said the clowns have been wielding knives or following members of the public. Some incidents (including one that made a women go into early labour), dismissed as ‘pranks’, have sparked outrage across the nation.
The craze has also instilled fear in the minds of young children, so much so that Childline has received a staggering 120 calls in the past week from children frightened by people dressing up as "creepy clowns".
One 12-year-old revealed that he was petrified after hearing rumours of clowns in his area with knives.
“Someone has told me that they saw a note on our school gates saying, 'We're coming,'" he told the charity.
More serious cases have involved a 10-year-old boy in Plymouth being chased by a clown with a hammer and a young girl in Cumbria was approached by a clown who had an axe in his hand.
A spokesman for the NSPCC, which runs Childline, 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 into 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."
On a more positive note, ‘Batdad’ is on the case in Cumbria after footage emerged of a man dressed as batman chasing a ‘killer clown’ down the street.
Batman has even been visiting terrified children, assuring them that everything will be okay.
This Batman is part of a local costume hire company called Cumbria Superheroes, just doing their bit for the community. Is your little one scared of killer clowns? Show them this video before bedtime tonight:
**Batman always saves the day. **
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