The ‘killer clowns’ craze has prompted dozens of frightened kids to call Childline.

There have been 120 calls to the NSPCC’s helpline in just a week from youngsters wanting to talk about harassment caused by the sinister trend of people dressing up as creepy clowns to scare passers-by.

A quarter of the calls to Childline have been from children under the age of 11, while the biggest group has been aged between 12 and 15.

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More than 10 per cent of the calls have been from worried kids in London.

As well as physical encounters with clowns, children have also been targeted online - in one shocking case a 13-year-old girl was messaged on Instagram from someone posing as a clown who threatened to cut her throat and rape her.

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The NSPCC has issued the following advice to children concerned about creepy clowns:

  • Talk to a parent or a teacher or trusted adult.
  • Contact the police if they are threatened by a creepy clown in the street.
  • Call Childline if they want to discuss their worries or get advice and support.
  • Block and report abusive messages from people posing as clowns on social media.

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An NSPCC spokesperson said: “People getting dressed up as ‘creepy clowns’ and frightening children should take a long hard look at themselves.

“Clowns are meant to make children laugh but these people are abusing this idea and turning it into something twisted and warped.

“Increasing reports that these ‘clowns’ are not simply seeking to frighten children but using them to intimidate, commit crimes, abuse or bully are deeply worrying and this trend needs to be stamped out.

“Young people should stay well away from them. And if they do happen to see a ‘creepy clown’ out on the streets or lurking near their school they should immediately tell their parents or the nearest responsible adult and report it to the police where necessary.”

If a child is worried they should call Childline on 0800 1111 or get in touch via chidline.org.uk