Clown Craze

I've spoken with our PCSO who confirms they have a few calls in Ashford were youths have had clown masks on and have been causing trouble. She says it appears to be an internet craze and the report on Kent Online that a pensioner was chased by a clown with a machete by wasn't reported to the police. It is an offence for any person to have an offensive weapon in any public place without lawful authority. There are exemptions to this, however clowns with machetes and baseball bats aren't one of them.

Dressing as a clown is not an offence, but deliberately scaring someone, causing harassment, alarm or distress could lead to arrest. There is also the possibility that you could attempt to scare the wrong person and they could retaliate. Please be mindful that what seems like a bit of fun to you, could not be seen the same way by those on the receiving end of this prank. Anyone who commits a criminal offence should be aware that dressing as a clown does not make them exempt from being investigated and dealt with through the Criminal Justice System.

If you are in a situation where you feel threatened, call 101 or 999