THE ‘killer clown’ craze which is sweeping the nation has prompted a stern response from an Odiham school after it found out that it was being targeted.

Robert May’s School issued a warning to parents and pupils alike of the latest online craze to go viral.

The ‘killer clown’ trend started in the US over the summer and has since made its way to these shores, with numerous and somewhat terrifying sightings popping up across the country in the last fortnight.

It involves individuals dressing up in clown outfits and jumping out of bushes and from behind corners and scaring members of the public. However, as the craze has developed and grown, weapons have started to be involved and what was once ‘harmless fun’ has now turned into genuine danger for those who have the misfortune of coming across a clown.

The Odiham school outlined how new accounts on social media and posts online indicated that the issue of clowns is currently making its way into the area, and that a “thoughtless small group of individuals” are behind the sightings and that they are “trying to deliberately frighten young people, the elderly and the vulnerable.”

In a statement Robert Mays emphasised how the school had been directly targeted.

“The school has been sent copies of social media posts indicating a local group’s intention to visit Robert May’s School during the week ahead.

“We have notified the police and have planned strategies to deal with this.

“The best approach is to stay calm and not join in with any further social or new media posts. social media posting and sharing is undoubtedly providing fuel for further publicity.

“It helps to make these evil and wrongly motivated people think they are having an impact.”

In just seven days, Childline had been contacted 120 times by children scared by the so-called craze.

An NSPCC spokesman said: “People getting dressed up as ‘creepy clowns’ and frightening children should take a long hard look at themselves.

“Clowns are meant to make children laugh but these people are abusing this idea and turning it into something twisted and warped.

“Increasing reports that these ‘clowns’ are not simply seeking to frighten children but using them to intimidate, commit crimes, abuse or bully are deeply worrying and this trend needs to be stamped out.

“Young people should stay well away from them.

“And if they do happen to see a ‘creepy clown’ out on the streets or lurking near their school they should immediately tell their parents or the nearest responsible adult and report it to the police where necessary.”

Nearby sightings include a handful in Yately and Fanborough, while a Instagram page called “clownsoffleet_” has appeared online, with one post carrying the caption, “haha you didn’t even see us”, with another captioned, “always watching”.

While no one has yet been hurt both MP Ranil Jayawardena and the police are worried by the increase in sightings as the weeks go by leading up to Hallowe’en.

Mr Jayawardena said: “Do these people have nothing better to do with their time?

“This behaviour is wholly wrong; threatening 13-year-old girls with rape and chasing lone 17-year-old girls down the street is disgusting.

“More must be done to crack down on the perpetrators of this anti-social behaviour in order to deter others from terrorising their local communities. A fixed penalty notice and a £90 fine for the first conviction do not send a strong enough message.”

Superintendent Paul Bartolomeo, from Hampshire Police said: “We don’t want to be killjoys but some of these incidents have been extremely frightening for those involved.

“We would ask people to think about the impact of their actions. What to them is a harmless prank, could be an intimidating and threatening experience to others, especially young children and vulnerable people.

“Also, by taking part in this craze, people could find themselves in a situation which leads to a public order incident. They could be arrested and ultimately end up with a criminal record.

“These incidents are also taking up valuable police time and resources, and will ultimately have an impact on other calls coming into the control room and officers attending other incidents.

“This appears to be a national craze at the moment and we would strongly advise people in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight not to be part of it.”

If anyone has any concerns or wants to report an incident, they are advised to call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800555111.