West London could not escape the "killer clown" phenomenon which swept the nation earlier this month, with a spate of incidents across the boroughs being investigated by police.
As Halloween draws closer, Metropolitan Police officers have warned there are more to come and strongly advise pranksters to not engage in incidents which leave people injured and terrified.
After a Hayes man was arrested for carrying a "suspected" firearm whilst wearing a clown suit, and a teen donning a clown mask arrested after residents in Uxbridge reported the incident , residents have been left fearful.
With so many people dressing up as the end of October arrives, when should people call the police and what are parents and schools advising families?
getwestlondon takes a look at the bizarre sightings, speaks to the Met about when you should call emergency services and interviews a west London clown who shows why our love for the fun-loving figures shouldn't be tainted by this month.
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Watch what one west London clown has to say about the phenomenon
Louise Reay from Shepherd’s Bush is a real clown performer and explained to getwestlondon the error of a killer clown’s waves. Here, we take a look at her take on being a comedy artist and why this phenomenon has got it all wrong.
Is wearing a mask illegal? At what point do I call the police if I see a clown? Your questions answered
Since the spate of incidents, residents have asked getwestlondon all sorts of questions and we’ve found out the answers to your most frequently asked when it comes to clowns.
Whether it’s police advice or whether you can even dress up anymore, we spoke to authorities around the boroughs to round up what you need to know.
Is it illegal if I wear a clown mask?
The simple answer is no. We asked Metropolitan Police officers if people face arrest for wearing the mask and although they couldn’t offer a yes or no answer, they did say people face arrest when their actions could have an impact on others.
I’ve seen someone in a clown mask - at what point shall I call the police?
A statement from the police read: “We would advise all ‘killer clown’ related anti-social behaviour or crime to be reported to the police via 101. In an emergency, you should always call 999.
“An emergency is: when a crime is happening, when someone suspected of a crime is nearby, or when someone is injured, being threatened, or in danger.”
It’s Halloween - will shop owners allow us to buy a clown mask?
Brands such as McDonalds have pulled the number of Ronald McDonald appearances to schedule in light of this month, but will shop owners do the same and limit what you can and can’t buy? It looks like it’s entirely up to the seller, but larger fancy dress stores have said they’re still for sale and people can still buy the scary clown masks.
Where in west London have killer clowns been spotted?
Although people had hoped London had seen a narrow escape as clowns were spotted across the nation, west London boroughs were no exception to the craze and it wasn’t long before the police were called to an incident in Brunel University, Uxbridge.
A teenager was bailed after being arrested on Tuesday (October 11) on suspicion of a public order offence after officers received reports of a clown “deliberately scaring people”.
Only a few days later, an armed unit of police officers headed to Hayes after a man wearing a clown mask was reported to be carrying what looked like a firearm.
Although it turned out to be a “fake firearm” , the man was charged with a public order offence and it only led to further alarm in the west London communities.
So much so, that West Lodge Primary School in Harrow sent a letter to parents warning schools in the area might be targeted.
It read: “[The school] has just received notification that the police have received information regarding the ‘killer clown’ craze.
“There is a risk that they may target schools in Harrow, therefore please be vigilant at all times when in the local area.”
Soon after, two people were arrested in Westfields Shopping Centre after wearing masks and chasing a terrified 27-year-old victim.
The Metropolitan Police said they were assessing a number of reports of clown incidents in London, three of which they say “meet the threshold of a criminal offence”.
