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The poor residents of Northampton, England are living in a nightmare scenario straight out of a Stephen King novel right now. Someone dressed as a clown keeps popping up around town and spooking grown adults and small children alike.

The clown isn't doing anything violent, mind you, so it's not exactly like a Stephen King novel. But it's close! Because clowns are terrifying, and they scare people. The Northampton Herald & Post reports clowns have been popping up in random places all across town lately, so much so that a hashtag and a Facebook group were created to track the sightings. The Northampton Chronicle reports police believe multiple people are behind the clown sightings. A warning was issued so residents won't be so startled the next time a clown is standing in the middle of the side walk.

The Northampton clown is terrifying residents wherever he goes:

Been scaring the crap out of my sister because the #northamptonclown was spotted literally less than 50 metres from our house... — Pineapple (@_Cucumberrr_) September 15, 2013

This #NorthamptonClown is flipping terrifying. — Dan Whittaker (@whittaker39) September 15, 2013

But Northampton residents can rest easy knowing there's now another vigilante roaming the streets protecting them with the ultimate mission of catching these dastardly clowns:

This guy in Far Cotton calls himself #TheClownCatcher omg what has my town turned into? #northamptonclown *FacePalm* pic.twitter.com/gjUTPmRInH — AJ (@amylouise158) September 15, 2013

Somehow I'm not convinced the town will rest easier knowing that guy's out there.

Update The Atlantic Wire would like to issue a formal apology to Stephen King for initially misspelling his name. Hopefully he will forgive us.

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