Clowns have always divided opinion. Some people love them, others hate them.

But the latest “creepy clown” craze has united most people in the thought that something which likely started as a joke has now gone too far.

Reports across the country – including here in Cumbria – say that people dressed up as clowns are not only scaring people in public, but are even brandishing knives as pranksters look to up the ante.

Since Saturday, Cumbria police has had to deal with almost 40 reported incidents across the county.

Worryingly, the trend appears to be escalating with reports of clown-related incidents increasing by the day. Over the weekend 17 reports were made but on Monday evening a further 19 were recorded.

Among the worst incidents were reports of clowns brandishing a knife, carrying a hammer and scaring a four-year-old child.

Speaking exclusively to the News & Star, Superintendent Mark Pannone says: “Cumbria Constabulary wants to ensure that people are safe and people feel safe in their communities. We will do what we can to stop this clown craze because of the harm and upset it is causing.

“We have increased patrols in the main towns across Cumbria and the city of Carlisle and we will respond to calls if they require police attendance.

“People will feel an increased police presence as a deterrent with the aim of preventing incidents occurring.”


View map of clown incidents here (.pdf)


He adds the force will look to prosecute people taking part in the craze who were committing an offence and scaring members of the public.

“We are asking the public if they are intending to go out dressed as a clown in this manner not to do it,” he continues.

“Think about the impact on the victim, especially young children, and on themselves if they obtain a criminal conviction for something that they see as a prank. It is not.”

The tables are now seemingly turning on those dressing up as clowns with videos emerging online – not believed to be in Cumbria – of people targeting “creepy clowns” and beating them up.


Supt Mark Pannone Supt Pannone warns: “I would strongly advise members of the public not to take vigilante action against clowns. That will get people in trouble.

“If people are concerned, contact the police and we will deal with it.”

No-one has been arrested for a clown-related incident in Cumbria.

The weekend incidents included one at Hammond’s Pond in Carlisle, while in Workington a small child was left traumatised after being approached by a clown armed with a stick.

Speaking in the aftermath of the weekend’s reports, Supt Pannone said: “Dressing up as a clown to scare people may seem like a joke, but it is no laughing matter. The fear of such incidents is deeply upsetting children in Cumbria and causing them a great deal of distress.

“It will not be tolerated by police.”

Victims of the clown attacks back up Supt Pannone’s assertion that the craze is no joke.

Three women running in the Morton area of Carlisle, at about 8.30pm on Monday night, were chased by a masked character who jumped out from shadows between the Stonegarth shops and the Royal Scot pub.

One of them, 29-year-old Debbie Harrison, of Raffles, says: “I don’t like the crazy clown thing. It’s intimidating and it is not nice. People aren’t doing it for fun, they are doing it to scare people – it’s gone too far.

“We were running in Morton and he came out of nowhere. He was running behind my friend. Me and another friend were a short distance ahead so we slowed and turned round to see what he was doing. He was running behind her making gestures and shouting something at her. He was wearing a black and white scary mask.


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“He was trying to scare her by chasing her but thankfully got bored when he realised it wasn’t working. I hope he didn’t go after the old man we passed who was out walking his dog.”

Emma Wood, 38, of Botcherby, adds: “It’s obviously Halloween coming up but this is just silly. We were scared for our friend. Two of us were out front and she was behind us. We slowed down and turned round to see what he was doing. Although we’re runners, we’re not sprinters and if it was more serious than what it what it would’ve been very frightening.

“As we carried on our running we informed an elderly man who was out walking his dog of what was ahead of him and that someone was chasing people while in a mask. We were worried about the comeback for him.

“We were able to laugh it off because we were out together in a little group but we were more worried about people like the man out alone which is why we took time to warn him.”