Who are the '˜killer clowns' and why is it happening here?

It's a craze that has left billions of sane people baffled and has resulted in scores of victims being scared out of their wits.

Britain has been ‘invaded’ by an army of clowns who are stalking the streets and terrorising children and adults.

Eastbourne Police are searching for a man who leapt out at a cyclist brandishing an offensive weapon – while dressed as a clown.

And in another shocking incident, on Friday, a ‘killer clown’ with a knife chased two children aged 11 and 12 to school in County Durham.

These are just two of dozens of similar ordeals reported to police, leading to officers across the UK warning that anyone caught clowning around will be arrested.

There have also been sightings of masked clowns at a fast-food restaurant in the Birmingham, lurking in an underpass in Leeds, wearing a blood-stained poncho in Manchester and riding a mobility scooter in Sheffield.

Girls were playing netball at a school in North Shields when a prankster in a red wig and blue jumpsuit scaled the fence and sparked panic.

Creepy Creepy clowns have also been spotted in people’s gardens and peering into their windows.

The so-called ‘killer clown’ craze appears to have been inspired by terrifying pranks in South Carolina, where police first received reports of clowns lurking near launderettes and trying to lure children into the woods.

It is unclear what sparked the craze, although some claim it may be part of a horror movie publicity stunt or an elaborate hoax.

Since then, clowns have sparked thousands of copycats across the US and worldwide, with police in Australia also issuing stern warnings to would-be clowns.

The craze has also angered professional clowns, who work in circuses and as children’s entertainers, and who have told the i newspaper that the “idiots” are bringing the “art of clowning” into disrepute.

“It’s incredibly frustrating,” said Rob Bowker, a spokesman for Clowns International, the world’s oldest clown club.

“These people are not clowns. They are just idiots wearing clown costume. It isn’t funny.”

Mr Bowker, who works under the name Bibbledy Bob, added: “Clowning is an art form and it takes years to learn. These people are hijacking the costume and scaring people.

”Children have nothing to fear from real clowns. They only want to make people smile. These people are nothing to do with us.“

Clowns have been around for thousands of years – dating back to the court jesters of Henry VIII and beyond – and were traditionally a vehicle for satire.

The word ”clown“ first appeared when Shakespeare used it to describe foolish characters in his plays.

The now familiar circus clown has its origins in the 19th century.