Schoolchildren across Newcastle have been targeted by pranksters dressing up as clowns and jumping out from behind bushes. Thought to be inspired by a craze in America, police have now been forced to step in after the youngsters were left “incredibly distressed”. Northumbria police said they have received six separate reports since Friday, leaving parents and teachers very concerned. They said no one had been attacked or injured in the incidents, but said they had also received further reports of clowns chasing pedestrians down the street. This has led to a number of arrests as well as police telling people to take photos of any clowns they see to help identify them.

Source: The Guardian October 04, 2016 18:22 UTC