The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
No laughing matter as Scouts warned over clowns –
Society: Children told costumes not allowed at three-day Scout meeting
Youngsters have been warned they face being kicked out of a major Scouts gathering in the Highlands this weekend if they dress as clowns.
Any clowns found attending the Cally Rally event at Dochgarroch, near Inverness, will be treated as a “potential security issue” and “removed from the site”.
The warning was issued as the “creepy clown” craze continues to sweep across the country and the world.
The trend, which originated in the US, has involved clowns chasing children and adults , occasionally while holding weapons, and in some cases targeting schools.
Dozens of teenage boys and girls will begin flocking to the Cally Rally by the Caledonian Canal today for the start of the three day event, which will feature a range of activities, including a Hallowe’en disco.
The rally is open to members of the Scout Association and Girl Guides aged from 13 to 17 years, with many understood to be planning to dress-up in costumes for the party.
But it emerged yesterday that the organisers have issued a warning to anyone planning to attend dressed as a clown.
A post on the event’s social media page said :“In response to police information relating to disturbances in the Inverness area involving clown outfits, we ask that nobody takes clown outfits to Cally Rally for the Halloweenthemed disco. This is a potential security issue and shall be treated as such.”
An earlier post said that “on police advice clown outfits are not allowed. Clowns will be removed from site”.
The craze has led to a spike in clown-related calls to police forces across the UK.
Earlier this month, the Press and Journal reported that 10- year- old Neva Shand had been left “screaming and hysterical” after she was approached by am ask-wearing prankster in a play park in Inverness. Fancy dress shops in the city have also reported that the controversy has led to parents banning their kids from buying clown costumes.
In Aberdeen last week, a pensioner was left “scared for her life” after being chased down the road by two teenagers dressed as clowns.
Keith Moncour, deputy camp chief at the Cally Rally, told the Press and Journal last night that the organisers had issued the ban to ensure there are no similar incidents.
He said: “In response to advice that has been issued in the media by local police we have decided to issue a warning that anyone dressed as a clown will not be allowed on site.
“The last thing we want is any distractions from what is going to be a fun and exciting event.”
In just one week, the NSPCC’s Childline service received 120 calls from children across the UK scared by the fad of people dressing up as clowns to frighten passers-by.
In response to the complaints, Police Superintendent David Duncan, issued a statement confirming there had been“sporadic reports” of individuals dressed as clowns in Scotland. He added: “It is assessed that there is a current trend of similar incidents on socialmedia, many of which have been confirmed as hoaxes and emanate from overseas.
“The reports which have been made to police officers are being investigated and do not specifically involve threats or violence.
“Any person seeking to cause distress and potential harm to anyone should be aware that police will take action.
“If anyone has any concerns they should report the matter to police.”
The recent killer clown craze has left adults and children terrified but also threatens to destroy the clown profession. We speak to Bubbles the Clown to discover the man behind the mask – see YL magazine tomorrow
“The last thing we want is any distractions from a fun and exciting event”
Even scouts and girl guides are not immune to the “creepy clown” craze sweeping the country after being warned they will be thrown out of a Halloween Highland disco if they turn up dressed as clowns.
Organisers of the Cally Rally event at Dochgarroch, near Inverness, say clowns will be treated as a “potential security issue” and “removed from the site”.
It is a sad state of affairs that it has come to this, but the Highlands had its fair share of silly clown stunts. These pranks are carried out to terrify people for fun, but they could provide cover for something even more sinister.