'Killer clowns': 'Knife-wielding clown chased terrified schoolgirl through south London park'

Killer clown: Police have issued a warning after a spate of incidents
PA
Jamie Micklethwaite11 October 2016

A knife-wielding clown is said to have chased a schoolgirl through a park in a terrifying ordeal in south London.

Mother-of-five Lucy Fraser said her daughter was walking to school through Manor House Gardens in Hither Green when she saw a man dressed in a clown costume.

The clown, who appeared to be armed, then allegedly chased Mrs Fraser’s daughter, who is thought to be under 15, and her friend through the park on Monday morning.

It is the latest in a string of incidents which led police to warn pranksters they may face prosecution if they terrorise people in the outfits.

After her daughter's alleged ordeal, Ms Fraser warned other people in Hither Green about what she said had happened.

She wrote on Facebook: “My daughter was walking through there this morning on way to school, and there was a guy in a clown mask with a knife waving it around by the dog park.

“He then chased her and her friend to school. My daughter is now frightened to go to school now.

“Please keep your eyes peeled for these clowns and if you see anything then call the police.”

A Met Police spokeswoman said the force had not been made aware of this incident but there had been a spate of similar incidents across London.

The “Killer Clown” craze, believed to have started in America, has seen Londoners taking to the streets dressed as clowns to deliberately scare people.

The Met’s head crime prevention, commander Julian Bennett, confirmed that three incidents involving clowns in London were being treated as criminal offences.

A 19-year-old student caused panic on Brunel University campus after dressing as a clown and wielding a chainsaw on Saturday.

Other incidents have included a man dressed as a clown and armed with a knife chasing a woman down the street in the early hours of the morning in Archway on Sunday.

Earlier today, two children were left traumatised after being confronted by a man dressed as a clown on Bonham Road, Dagenham.

Commander Bennett urged anyone planning to take part in the craze to consider the impact that their actions could have on others.

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