Trick or Treat WARNING: BAN children going out, parents told amid Killer Clown craze fears
PARENTS have been told to ban their children from trick or treating this year of fears the Halloween period will see the "killer" clown craze escalate.
Fear over attacks on young people has spread among parenting groups who are proposing putting a stop to festivities in response to the frightening fad.
Some have suggested festivities on fright night could result in “carnage” as the clown pranksters plan to cause mayhem.
In recent weeks the 'killer clown' craze has only escalated with sightings up and down the country - and school children being left petrified by encounters.
Clowns are scaring children across the UK amid "killer" clown craze
Stay inside, keep all pets inside and keep all doors and windows locked
Neighbourhood watchstyle groups, specifically set up to target the fake circus menaces, have been formed across the country to keep children safe.
One such group’s Facebook page in Cornwall said: “WARNING – clowns are allegedly planning their own purge the night before Halloween.
“Stay inside, keep all pets inside and keep all doors and windows locked.
“Show awareness to family and friends and anyone else who doesn’t really know about the clown purge spreading across towns and countries.”
Some are calling on parents to stop their children leaving the house altogether.
"Killer" clowns have been scaring children and one man was stabbed in Sweden
BATMAN will save you from KILLER CLOWNS
Fremlin Walk Shopping Centre in Maidstone, Kent, has issued a blanket ban on all clowning activity.
A spokesman said: “We are a family shopping destination and the practise of deliberately trying to terrify unsuspecting members of the public, without any thought or knowledge of their physical or mental health, is unacceptable.”
The craze has swept not just the UK, but Europe and America.
A teenager was stabbed by someone wearing a clown mask in Varberg, southern Sweden, last week.
The youth was left with minor injuries following the attack, which happened when he went outside for a cigarette in the municipality, south of Gothenburg.
Parent groups fear "clowns" will use Halloween night to scare and attack children
It came the day after two people in clown costumes reportedly threatened to kill a woman in central Sweden.
It also emerged a clown stripper has declared war on the scary thugs as their mockery is affecting his business.
Conor McGregor also threatened to "slap the head off" anyone who came near him as a Killer Clown.