Trinity School pupils warned of possible 'killer clown' attacks at Michaelmas Fair

Letter to parents tells them to be extra vigilant as sick craze grips the nation

TRINITY School pupils have been warned of possible 'killer clown' attacks at Newbury's Michaelmas Fair.

The sick prank has sweeped across the country over the past few weeks with hundreds of reported cases.

It involves people dressing up in horrifying clown outfits, often holding a ''weapon', and scaring unsuspecting people including the elderly and young children.

There are fears that, with Halloween fast approaching, pranksters could target the fair, which opened last night and runs until Saturday.

This week, Trinity School's deputy headteacher, Brendan Hanlon said in a letter to parents: "I am writing to ask if you can be extra vigilant with your child before allowing them to visit the Fair in town this week.

"You may be aware from news coverage there is a spate of threatening behaviour from people dressed as clowns across the country with high levels of police involvement.

"We are concerned that this may become an issue at the Fair and I am sure you would agree we do not want Trinity Children becoming victims of this."

Last week Thames Valley Police issued a warning after being called out to 14 incidents involving clowns across the region in a 24-hour period.

Police say no-one has been injured in the incidents which took place across the Thames Valley area including Bracknell, Milton Keynes, Abingdon and Chesham.

Chief Supt Andy Boyd, head of neighbourhood policing, said: “While we do not want to be accused of stopping people enjoying themselves we would also ask those same people to think of the impact of their behaviour on others and themselves.

“Their actions can cause fear and anxiety to other people, this could be perceived to be intimidating and threatening which could lead to public order offences, arrest and a criminal record.

“In addition, their behaviour is causing multiple reports to our call takers and is tying up police resources which could impact on calls to other incidents.

“While we realise that reports of this kind are not restricted to the Thames Valley area, the issues of intimidation, potential arrest and waste of public resources are the same across the country and we would urge people to refrain from such activity.”