No laughing matter: Police minister's warning over creepy clown craze
The WA Police Minister has issued a stern warning over a spate of frightening clown incidents in Perth.
In one, a teenage girl was stalked and chased by a group of men in clown costumes in Baldivis.
Seven News has spoken exclusively to a couple of men behind the clown scare who take to the streets in what they say is just harmless fun.
On Sunday evening the so-called clown craze frightening people in Perth came to Read Street in Waikiki.
But in broad daylight on Monday the men are too frightened to reveal their identities.
Inspired by the reboot of IT, Stephen King's clown horror tale, they say there is no harm in what they are doing, but admit they find scaring people amusing.
"Of course people are going to look at us and say 'holy heck, that is scary'. We take that as a joke," one said.
However, Police Minister Michelle Roberts isn't laughing.
"If they assault someone, it doesn't matter how they're dressed, they run the risk of being charged and convicted," she said.
Despite the warnings, the boys from Waikiki say they will head back to the streets.
But one Rockingham costume hire company has decided to clamp down.
"We're not selling clown masks at the moment because of this," Pippa Mitchell from Chameleon Costumes said.
It's not likely to stop those intent on taking up the clown craze.
"We're not here to harm anyone," one creepy clown said.
"Yes, some people take it too far, but we're completely opposite to that."
