Victorian police won’t reveal where clown sightings have been reported but say any antisocial behaviour will be investigated as ‘clown purge’ groups appear

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Clown sightings: the day it all began Read more

Victorian police have warned that they will not tolerate any antisocial behaviour after reports the American clown craze has spread to Australia.

It began with reports of clowns trying to lure children into woods in the US state of South Carolina.

That led to clown groups sprouting across the US and mass clown hunts in other areas.

Police won’t reveal where clowns have been sighted in Melbourne but have warned that antisocial behaviour will be investigated.

“The clown purge appears to be a copycat of incidents being seen in the USA recently,” a Victoria police statement said.

One Facebook page, claiming to be the Melbourne Clown Association, warns residents of the city to “be ready” to face their horrific scares.

Another Facebook page with about 3,000 likes has promised to hunt down clowns in the northern suburbs.

Numerous other “clown purge” Facebook pages have cropped up around Australia, including in Sydney, Perth and Adelaide.