BEHIND THE HEADLINES: Why are people dressing up as clowns?

LAST week, Gwent Police warned that action would be taken against anyone caught taking part in the ‘creepy clown’ craze - which involves people dressing up as clowns to deliberately scare or intimidate others.

Their warning followed a spate of 18 reported incidents across Gwent in the space of two days, including dealing with a group of children aged between eight and 12 who were so scared of being attacked by a 'killer clown' that one was carrying a carving knife for protection.

But where did the trend come from?

It seems that it all started in the US in August with alarming reports that people dressing as clowns had been spotted trying to lure children into wooded areas.

As word spread, less serious sounding incidents began to pop up and, as one incident led to another, social media began to light up with stories from across the world.

Disturbingly, this week a Swedish youth was left with minor injuries after being stabbed by a man dressed as a clown.

Although the UK hasn't seen an incident as serious as that, there have been injuries.

Zoe Griffiths, 37, of Attlee Way, Tredegar, said that her son 10-year-old son Ben was walking through Bedwellty Park in Tredegar when he was injured by someone dressed as clown.

Describing how her son was walking with friends on when they heard a laugh she said: "Next thing, a clown comes out of the trees and my son and his friends start running,” she said.

“My son must have been a little bit slow and something hit him.

“He didn’t see what it was because it happened fast but he thinks it was a rock.

“He has a big black bruise.”

Miss Griffiths said that something needs to be done as she believes someone is going to get hurt.

With some linking the trend with Stephen King’s book It, and the film due to come next year, others simply see it as a little bit of pre-Hallowe’en fun which exploits people's fear of clowns.

Despite not being categorised as a disorder, a specific fear of clowns has its own name and is known as Coulrophobia.

One page user in the Facebook page Clown Sightings UK said of an incident in Newport last week: "I was just walking down Maesglas Road and a clown wearing a full head mask with ginger hair came out of the alleyway laughing and followed me all the way up to the Tesco on Cardiff Road.

"It was the scariest thing I've ever encountered, don't think he had a weapon of any sort, but still, it definitely wasn't a joke."

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Jeff Cuthbert, said that, even though the creepy clown craze may seem like harmless fun on the surface, it can be quite scary for those who experience it, especially for children and older people who may feel vulnerable.

He said: “We want people to enjoy themselves and although the creepy clown craze may seem like harmless fun on the surface, it is quite frightening to those who experience it, especially for young children and older people who may feel vulnerable. We have heard how children have been understandably upset and distressed by some incidents.

"People need to think about the consequences of their action on others. This practice could be dangerous as calls from distressed residents can tie up resources which should be responding to more serious incidents.”

Age Cymru is also trying to raise awareness about the fact not everyone wants to be involved in Hallowe’en like activities.

“We want everyone to have a fun and trouble-free Hallowe'en night” said Angharad Phillips, Age Cymru’s Spread the Warmth Coordinator. “Please look out for vulnerable older people in your community and remember that not everyone wants to be involved in the celebrations.

“But also remember to keep warm to stay well and keep yourself and others safe so that Halloween is enjoyable.”

Age Cymru has put together a list of tips which will allow everyone to have a happy Hallowe'en, including parents or guardians accompanying children who are trick-or-treating and parents asking neighbours in advance that it will be okay to trick-or-treat them on Halloween.

Once again, this year, the Gwent Police ‘No Callers Please’ pumpkin poster is available.

If members of the public would prefer not to have Halloween callers at their door then they can pick up a free copy from their local Neighbourhood Policing Team and community venues.

Hallowe'en is traditionally a busy evening for Gwent Police with lots of calls being received, particularly to report anti-social behaviour.

Last year, there were 211 Halloween related anti-social behaviour calls made to Gwent Police between 5pm on October 31 and 6am on 1st November 1, 2015.

Gwent Police is also working with partners, including local authorities, shops, the fire service, community groups, cadets, schools and youth services to help keep the number of anti-social behaviour incidents to a minimum.

Posters explaining the use of the ‘no callers please’ signs are being delivered to local schools, asking pupils to respect the signs that they see, and not call at any homes displaying them.

School Community Police Officers are also visiting assemblies this month to remind school pupils about the impact of anti-social behaviour on other people, and reinforce the consequences of this type of behaviour.

Local shops have been coming on board with the campaign, and will be refraining from selling flour and eggs to under-18s during the week of Halloween – they will be showing posters to show their support.

Chief Superintendent Emma Ackland, said: “We know that Hallowe'en is an enjoyable evening for lots of people, and we certainly don’t want to prevent people from having fun.

"We are just asking people to think about the consequences of their actions, particularly to elderly and vulnerable members of our community.

“If someone has a ‘no callers please’ sign up in their door or window, then we are asking the public to simply respect that, and not call at their home.

"We will take action against anyone found to be taking part in anti-social behaviour, and our officers will be out patrolling in local communities on the night.

"Also, we will be posting crime prevention messages on our Gwent Police Facebook and Twitter pages so check those for more information.”