POLICE in Hampshire have been called to a string of incidents where pranksters have dressed as sinister clowns to deliberately scare people.

Terrified victims have been goaded, harassed and chased in stunts launched in the so-called 'Killer Clowns' craze - with one woman allegedly threatened at knifepoint by someone in dressed in a mask.

The disturbing incidents are part of an epidemic of attacks across the country just weeks before Halloween which have gone viral on social media and left people fearing to leave their homes and children too scared to sleep at night.

Now elderly care groups warn that the perpetrators could be putting lives at risk and schools in the county are sending warnings to parents and children.

And it comes as police warn anyone responsible for the attacks will face tough punishments.

The culprits have struck in incidents in Southampton, Eastleigh, Gosport and New Milton - echoing a trend which erupted in the USA this summer.

Perpetrators dress up as clowns to frighten people - mainly at night - in scenes reminiscent of horror films Poltergeist and Stephen King's 'It'.

Photographs have emerged on social media of a clown eerily peering out from behind a building in Fareham, while another has been posted showing a clown lurking the platform at Micheldever Station.

A group of girls were chased by two clowns and a man dressed in black in International Way, Weston, Southampton and cornered in a tower block.

Police were called, but say noone was arrested.

One of the girls claimed a woman had been "grabbed at knifepoint" while walking her dog in Weston field, but police have been unable to verify this.

A photograph of what appears to be a clown hiding behind a wall in Fordingbridge have been posted online, along with one standing on a balcony in Christchurch.

There has also been sightings in Hedge End and Fordingbridge.

The Echo has seen a letter sent to parents at Testwood Sports College Totton warning parents of the craze, saying that teachers had informed police and were reassuring pupils in lessons.

The note sent by email says "procedures" are in place to keep students and staff safe.

Last night noone was available for comment at Testwood Sports College, but mum-of-two Charmaine Attwood, 40, claimed clowns had been spotted near the school, and said: "My daughter doesn't want to walk out of the house as she is scared of being attacked by a clown. If these people had children they would know how much it scares them. They are sad people."

Peter Bennie, chief executive of Age UK Southampton said: "This could have a potentially devastating impact on vulnerable, elderly people in the community. It could distress them and affect on ongoing health concerns. "They could be so frightened they could walk out into the road without looking and get run over, or if they have a weak heart they could be so frightened or if they have a weak heart they could suffer a heart attack. "

He urged elderly people and other members of the public to stay vigilant.

Superintendent Paul Bartolomeo of Hampshire Constabulary said: “We don’t want to be killjoys but some of these incidents have been extremely frightening for those involved.

“We would ask people to think about the impact of their actions. What to them is a harmless prank, could be an intimidating and threatening experience to others, especially young children and vulnerable people.

He warned those responsible could be convicted of public order offences and added: "These incidents are also taking up valuable police time and resources, and will ultimately have an impact on other calls coming into the control room and officers attending other incidents.

“This appears to be a national craze at the moment and we would strongly advise people in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight not to be part of it.”

Others took to social media to condemn the pranksters.

Following the sighting of a clown in Fareham, Danny MC Mitch James posted on Facebook. "I dare him to walk 10 miles to me :) ill (sic) show him true fear."

Sandra Nash wrote: "They're all jumping on this pathetic stupid bandwagon- get a life - it's not funny."

In County Durham on Friday, four children were followed to school by a man in a clown outfit who was armed with what looked like a machete.

A 30-year-old man was arrested in Norwich after someone dressed as a clown jumped out from behind a tree screamed at her and ran after her.

On Sunday Thames Valley Police said it had been called to 14 incidents in 24 hours.

If anyone has seen the clown or is worried for their safety they should call Hampshire Constabulary on 101.

Have you seen a clown while out and about in Hampshire? Write to website@dailyecho.co.uk