And then there's all the worry that people have about knives and knuckledusters.

Three weeks ago, for example, we looked at Seven's attempt to whip up fear about violent youth gangs...

We are here, we are multiplying. They're frightening. It's an urban war zone. We're definitely going to see more attacks. — Channel Seven, Today Tonight, 26th August, 2009

Public fears about violent crime lead to the familiar law and order auctions in state elections.

Now even the contestants for federal office are joining in.

Mark Simkin: Julia Gillard vowed to throw the book at importers of knuckledusters, stun guns and other weapons. Julia Gillard: There's no excuse in the world for wandering around with a knife in your pocket. Mark Simkin: Tony Abbott wasn't going to be outplayed. Tony Abbott: The rise of these violent gangs on a national basis means that there is more work for the Commonwealth to do. — ABC News, 29th July, 2010

The Australian Institute of Criminology tells us it's not aware of any statistical evidence that gang violence is on the increase.

But tell that to Sydney's Daily Telegraph...

A bunch of clowns A notorious American youth gang known for its violent street crime and penchant for wearing clown make-up as a disguise has hit Sydney. — The Daily Telegraph, 2nd August, 2010

Read the full article published in The Daily Telegraph

The Tele told its readers last week that these three are:

...aspiring members of the Sydney branch of youth gang the Juggalos... — The Daily Telegraph, 2nd August, 2010

But then it changed its mind. Perhaps it noticed the Stars and Stripes in the background.

The Telegraph online now describes them as:

Juggalo gang members in the US. — The Daily Telegraph, 2nd August, 2010

Meanwhile, the Melbourne Herald Sun warned its readers...

A notorious American youth gang known for violent street crime and wearing clown make-up as a disguise is set to descend on Victoria. — The Herald Sun, 2nd August, 2010

So who are the Juggalos? And what's the evidence that they're a violent youth gang recruiting members in Australia?

Well the story started in a News Ltd suburban weekly paper, the Fairfield Advance...

Attack No Joke Melissa Matheson Detectives are investigating three young men wearing clown make-up - one made up as The Joker from Batman - and armed with chains who attempted to rob a woman outside Fairfield RSL Club. — The Fairfield Advance, 28th July, 2010

Read the full article published in The Fairfield Advance

Ok, an unpleasant crime. The perpetrators were wearing clown make-up.

And, the report went on...

Police are investigating if the group is linked to the Juggalo movement, which has been classified as a gang in at least six states in the US. — The Fairfield Advance, 28th July, 2010

Melissa Matheson had done her home-work.

Juggalos and Juggalettes are fans of hard-core hip-hop and rap groups such as Insane Clown Posse and others on the Psychopathic Records label. — The Fairfield Advance, 28th July, 2010

Roll into town, and out with the big top... — Insane Clown Posse music video, 'Hokus Pokus'

Here's an Insane Clown Posse video.

Toss me an axe, and I'll toss you a dead chicken.. — Insane Clown Posse music video, 'Hokus Pokus'

It certainly suggests a somewhat anti-social attitude.

And though the Juggalos claim they're just fans of the band, it's true, as the Fairfield Advance said, that some Juggalos...

...have been accused of committing violent acts in America. — The Fairfield Advance, 28th July, 2010

But is it true that Sydney police believe that the three young suspects in Fairfield - here they are on CCTV issued by the police - may be members of the Juggalos?

The Fairfield Advance would only tell us that its source was a police 'task force member'.

But Detective Inspector Gary Bailey, Crime Manager at Fairfield, told Media Watch that he'd never heard of the Juggalos until he read about them in the Fairfield Advance.

I do not have any information arising from the investigation that Juggalo group are involved in this robbery or any other crime in the Fairfield area. — Response from Detective Inspector Gary Bailey (Fairfield Local Area Command) to Media Watch, 5th August, 2010

Read the police's full response to Media Watch's questions

Then there's the news that the Juggalos 'gang' is about to 'descend on Victoria'.

The Herald-Sun breathlessly told its readers...

Its looming Victorian get-together will be the group's first national congregation. — The Herald Sun, 2nd August, 2010

Well, on its Facebook page the...

...Australian Gathering of The Juggalos — Australian Gathering of Juggalos Facebook page

...sounds distinctly unthreatening:

Here is our list of items you should Think about bringing with you on the camping trip. Toiletries: Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Dental Floss, Shampoo... — Australian Gathering of Juggalos Facebook page

Doesn't mention knives, chains, or knuckledusters. So far, 35 Juggalos and Juggalettes have said they're coming.

Its organiser posted, ironically...

Created this event so ALL Juggalos can get to gather and hang out and have a few drinks and chill with some music, there will be no criminal activity we just want to have fun... — Australian Gathering of Juggalos Facebook page

But where's the story in that?