What has the world got against us clowns?
PRO F E S S I O NA L clowns have hit back at bullies scaring people by dressing up as “killer clowns” - saying it is damaging their trade.
The craze over the past few days has seen people dressing up as evil clowns, sometimes holding knives or other weapons, before lurking outside schools and other places to terrify people as they emerge.
Keith Chambers, who is secretary of Southport Magic Circle, is among those calling for police to crack down on those scaring children and giving genuine clowns a bad name.
He said: “These socalled killer clowns are making it difficult for people who make a living as professional entertainers dressed as a clown or magic clowns.
“As secretary of Southport Magic Circle, I would like to assure the general public that none of our members would do anything so stupid.
“Clowns as entertainers are not about scaring children or adults, but to make sure they have a great time.
“I am hoping the police and the authorities will do something about this stupid craze.”
His calls were echoed by John Dixon, 73, from Freshfield, who has worked as children’s entertainer Mr Trix the Magic Clown for 25 years.
Mr Trix said it was already difficult to have a career in live entertainment.
The popular children’s entertainer, who started his career as a magician, said he toned down his clown make-up several years ago after realising some children and adults found it scary.
And he fears the bizarre craze, which has made its way to Southport and the rest of Merseyside after starting in America, will make it harder for clowns to make a living – and create a whole new generation of people afraid of them.
He said: “It’s a shame. We make a living entertaining as clowns, which is already difficult as live entertaining is dying a little bit. People are already doing different things like going to fun parks, and by going out deliberately to scare people, they are giving clowns a bad name.
“I did wear all the makeup a few years ago but it does scare some children – and adults as well.”
There have been a number of creepy clowns spotted locally, including one boy in Southport this week who was too terrified to return home after being chased by some.
Police were called out to Kew Woods Primary School in Southport, on Tuesday, after a case of mistaken identity by children there.
HAVE you been affected by the killer clown craze? Email us at: visiter news@ southportvisiter.co.uk or call Visiter reporter Jamie Lopez on 01704 398 261.