UPDATED: 'If you're planning to dress as a clown - don't' - advice to pranksters from North-East police chief

There have been hundreds of reports of people dressing up as clowns and scaring members of the public, including young children, across the North-East and the country as a whole.

Vera Baird QC said: “I am sure this started as Halloween fun, but when people are hiding in bushes, jumping out on members of the public or running around in open spaces it can be scary.

Vera Baird QC

"A clown is effectively wearing a mask. Children in particular are complaining of being afraid. Parents are worrying that people with bad intentions can take advantage of the trend.

"My advice is just don't dress as a clown. The fun has been spoilt now. You might well be misunderstood and end up in trouble and if you are out to scare you are likely to be committing an offence.

"I also understand that someone has published a list of locations where clowns plan to visit. I would urge anyone planning to do this not to – it looks deliberately intimidatory and it’s not acceptable."

She said this was "not an outbreak of major crime" but wanted to assure residents that Northumbria police were taking it seriously.

"If anyone was planning to dress as a clown - don't.  If anyone does so and causes alarm and distress it is a criminal offence under the public order act. Halloween is not a justification for this behaviour,” she said.

Police in North Yorkshire received eight reports on Monday night of people dressed as clowns.

In York, two youths with masks and one carrying a baseball bat frightened two 11-year-old boys near Westfield Primary School.

A boy of primary school age was seen dressed as a clown in Strensall, jumping out at people and shouting At Whitley Bridge, near Selby, youngsters dressed as clowns, including one with what looked to be a knife, were chasing a group of girls and shouting at them.

At Seamer Cricket Field, Scarborough, a boy chased by two older boys dressed as clowns.

In Northallerton, a member of the public reported a clown at their door, singing.

Also in Northallerton, five youths wearing clown masks were seen jumping out at cars on Malpas Road. Police stopped the youths and they handed over their masks to be destroyed.

In Skipton, a clown stood in the middle of the road, and a vehicle had to swerve to avoid it.

Also in Skipton, there was a clown banging on the window of pizza restaurant on the High Street.

A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman urged parents to warn children not to engage in such behaviour.

She said: "While some people may think this is funny, it is not for the person on the receiving end.

"It could also constitute a criminal offence if you frighten or threaten other people. The same applies regardless of what kind of mask you are wearing, if you set out to frighten or alarm people, you could be committing an offence.

"Our advice to anyone who is frightened or alarmed by anyone else, regardless of what they are wearing, is: Report the incident to the police on 101 If your safety is threatened, call the police on 999.

"Please keep an eye out for your elderly relatives, friends and neighbours, especially at this time of the year when the nights are darker and Halloween is approaching."

Police in North Yorkshire and Humberside had earlier urged local people not to join the "killer clown" craze hitting various parts of the UK.

Sergeant James Main of Humberside Police said: “Nationally there have been a number of reports of people dressing as clowns and following people or jumping out on them.

"Those involved may think it’s just a joke, but it’s not funny.

“Not only is this a waste of police time, but this stupid behaviour has the potential to really frighten people. You could also be committing a public order offence and end up with a criminal record. Please don’t be tempted to do it. Think of the consequences.”

Sgt Main said anyone who sees someone dressed as a clown should “ignore them wherever possible”, but if you feel threatened or frightened, phone 101 or 999 if you believe you are in danger.

The "clown craze", also known as "killer clown", appears to have been inspired by clown-related pranks in the US and has seen a string of copycat incidents across the country.

North Yorkshire Police and Humberside Police said they had no reports of local incidents yet.

Gloucestershire Police said it had received six reports of incidents happening in Gloucester and warned of the consequences if perpetrators were caught.

A masked man carrying a knife left a group of children aged 11 and 12 "upset and distressed" when he jumped out on their way to the Hermitage Academy in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, at 8.40am on Friday.

While in Suffolk, a boy "younger than a teenager" was chased by "several people dressed as clowns" in Beatty Road, Sudbury, at 8pm on Thursday, Suffolk Police said.

Earlier this week, Northumbria Police issued an appeal and warning after a series of incidents in Newcastle involving people dressed as clowns jumping out and scaring schoolchildren.

A 13-year-old boy was arrested in the Blakelaw area of the city following reports of someone dressed as a clown attempting to scare passers-by.

In Essex, two Clacton County High School schoolgirls were approached by two people dressed as clowns who asked them if they wanted to attend a birthday party at 9.20am on Tuesday.

While others have mostly escaped unharmed from the "frightening" incidents, police are warning potential offenders they still may be committing a Public Order Offence.

South Wales Police said it had received a number of reports in recent days about people dressed as clowns acting suspiciously and frightening members of the public.

A police spokesman said: "We have received a small number of similar reports locally and would like to remind people that this behaviour can cause concern and worry, particularly to young children and the elderly, and they may end up committing an offence."

People on social media have also reported clown sightings in Cheshire, North Wales, Dundee, Norwich, London, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield.