Spooky clown sightings across Australia haunt social media
Videos and images of clowns menacing Australian streets have emerged on social media similar to those spreading hysteria across the US.
The phenomenon started in parts of America and it seems Australian jesters have become inspired to bring similar spookiness to the streets of Victoria, Sydney and Perth.
Video captured by high school student Dennis Adlig shows a clown lurking on a street in suburban Perth earlier this week.
A video by a Perth high school student appears to show a “clown” attacking a friend while the pair walk down a dark street. (Facebook/Dennis Adlig)
The grainy footage shows a clown lingering under a street lamp, before chasing Mr Adling and his friends.
Facebook groups dedicated to clown sightings across Australia are also popping up.
'The clowns are coming' has already amassed more than 20,000 likes.
“I’ll see yous [sic] tonight,” a recent post from the group said.
Brianna Phillips uploaded a photograph to the page of a clown sighting in Narellan, in which a clown is sitting on a roadside electrical box.
Alleged clown sightings in Campbelltown (Image: Facebook/Peta Grant)
Four more images were uploaded of clown sightings in Campbelltown, including one of a clown having allegedly been knocked to the ground.
While most of clown sightings appear to be in jest, the spooky fad has triggered Victorian Police to issue a warning.
"Victoria Police are aware of people who are parading in the public wearing clown masks," a statement said.
"The clown purge appears to be a copycat of incidents being seen in the USA recently”.
This clown was sitting on a roadside electrical box in Narellan (Image: Facebook/Brianna Phillips)
"Any intimidating and threatening as well as anti-social behaviours will not be tolerated and will be investigated by police."
Two 18-year-old women were arrested in Michigan yesterday after they chased a pair of 14-year-olds while dressed in clown costumes, local media reported.
Jamie Salinis and Elandra Sledge have been charged with disorderly conduct and held on an AU$13,000 bail.
The cause of the disturbing clown trend remains unknown, but some media outlets have suggested it may be a publicity stunt for the upcoming Halloween film,
31directed by Rob Zombie.
http://www.9news.com.au/national/2016/10/08/04/47/us-clown-craze-spreads-to-victoria
