Clowning Around Craze

Dear Parents and Students
Staffordshire Police are aware of the craze of clowning around, where individuals and groups of all ages are taking to wearing clown costumes and then walking around the streets of our communities, often late at night.
Some of these costumes are not traditional clown outfits and their look and presence can actually frighten and intimidate children, students, parents and the wider community, especially if those wearing the costumes act in an anti-social manner.
We wish to reassure all of you, of the force’s determination to deal with individuals who are intent on acting in an anti-social manner and will act swiftly and proportionately to the increasing number of reported incidents.
The force is also aware of significant social media activity that is fuelling this scary so called ‘killer clown’ craze.
Please encourage your family and friends to stop liking and sharing any Facebook pages that publicise the unwarranted clown antics and any planned activities. Every time these sites are ‘shared’ or ‘liked’, it encourages more people to become involved in this unwanted and unacceptable activity.
We would also ask all parents to take a moment to find out if their children are involved in this craze. Please keep an eye on them in the evenings and find out what they are doing and where they are going after school hours; particularly during the hours of darkness.
While we appreciate Halloween is just a short time away, scaring people especially children and vulnerable people, is no laughing matter. It is completely unacceptable and could constitute an offence.
Staffordshire Police will not tolerate anti-social behaviour wherever it takes place within our communities.
Anyone who sees any suspicious clown activity, or who has been intimidated or upset by such recent behaviour, should call Staffordshire Police immediately on 101.
We are committed to keeping our communities safe and reassured.