Killer clown sparks terror by tapping on doors and peering through windows late at night

The prankster dressed in the clown costume is terrifying locals in Market Rasen, Lincolnshire.

People say they are dreading the clown walking up their path or jumping out on them from the shadows.

Laura Bailey, 34, from the town has a clown phobia.

She said: "I have been terrified of clowns since I was a little girl and if he appears on my doorstep I will probably faint and have a nervous breakdown.

"Who is he and why is he doing this? He must be getting some sort of kick out of it but it's an evil thing to be doing.

"I hate clowns – I can't even look at pictures of them."

The mystery man was out last night lurking around Market Rasen.

Several people took to social media to tell of their fear after he tapped on their windows and knocked on doors.

They peered out to see him grinning evilly in a scary clown outfit.

One woman in Waterloo Street, who asked not to be named in case he returns, said it has left her petrified.

"I was sat here at home and somebody knocked on my window" she said.

"I looked out and there was someone in a clown mask.

"I was scared silly – I am petrified of clowns. They're something I have never liked."

Another woman, Sophie Clark, 23, said she's now terrified to walk home after a friend called to let her know the clown was jumping out on people.

She'd just finished her shift as a waitress at the White Swan when her friend made the call to let her know the man had been prowling in Queen Street.

She said: "My mate rang saying someone is running around in a clown mask jumping out on people.

"I had to walk home on my own and I wasn't looking forward to it.

"I don't know who it is, but it is ridiculous.

"I am not bothered about clowns so much, it is more the thought of people jumping out gone ten at night, which isn't nice for young lasses walking around at this time."

The 'killer clown' craze began in October 2016 when pranksters began taking to the streets in clown costumes yielding weapons.

Dozens of towns were affected by the craze which terrorised locals.

The epidemic appears to be returning this year as creepy clowns pop up in towns across the UK.

Police fear the sightings will increase in the lead up to Halloween at the end of the month.

Clown costumes became a popular Halloween costume after Stephen King's novel It was published in 1986.

The recent film adaptation of the novel has revived the popularity and sparked the trend of dressing up as a 'killer clown', or Pennywise.

Police say they take reports of terrorising clowns "very seriously" and all cases should be reported.

To report an incident, people should contact 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, ring 999.



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