Killer clowns spark terror at second top Northern Ireland grammar school - Belfast Live
Killer clowns spark terror at second top Northern Ireland grammar school
Children and parents were last night urged to be on their guard against the “ridiculous” perpetrators
06:43, 11 OCT 2016
Killer clowns sparked terror at a second Northern Ireland grammar school yesterday.
Police patrolled Dalriada School in Co Antrim over fears pupils as young as 11 could be targeted by maniacs.
Children and parents were last night urged to be on their guard against the “ridiculous” perpetrators.
PSNI officers were deployed to Dalriada in Ballymoney just days after children claimed they had been terrorised by a knife-wielding clown in a public park in the town.
DUP MLA Mervyn Storey called for the sick pranksters to stop before somebody is seriously hurt.
He fumed: “This seems to be a craze which has come here from America and is putting communities into fear.
“What may be seen as a prank by someone can end up in a serious situation and today we have seen that in Ballymoney.
"Warnings have been issued by schools to make sure pupils and parents are vigilant. To have police outside and patrolling schools is ridiculous and will put extra, undue pressure on the PSNI . It is worrying for anyone to see the such action being taken to protect the public.
“I condemn those who are taking part and I hope this activity stops before it causes a serious situation. Anyone with any information as to who may be responsible should go to the police.”
&apos;Killer clown&apos; goads drivers amid fears somebody will die as result of craze
Ulster Unionist councillor Darryl Wilson added: “In the Ballymoney and Coleraine area people have been mimicking the online craze which in turn has caused distress to people within our communities, particularly the young and the elderly, which is completely unacceptable.
“Those responsible may feel that their actions are harmless, however they are causing distress to others while putting themselves in harm’s way too. I would strongly urge those responsible to put an end to this intimidating behaviour immediately before someone is seriously injured or worse.
“The PSNI are aware of the incidents and will continue to monitor the situation.”
The sinister craze, which started in America, has spread across the UK and Ireland in recent days.
Yesterday’s incident was the second time police have been deployed to a Northern Ireland school in the past week because of sick online threats.
Children threatened by knife brandishing &apos;killer clown&apos; in Ballymoney park
Officers were sent to Coleraine Grammar School on Friday after a message on Instagram suggested the school was a target.
Pupils were kept indoors while checks were carried out to make sure it was safe.
A short time later, further social media posts named Dalriada and nearby Ballymoney High School.
A picture allegedly showing a clown outside Cullybackey College in Ballymena was also posted online at the weekend.
A short distance away in Harryville, a clown was caught on camera goading drivers by standing in the middle of a busy road .
Drivers blasted the “idiot” clown involved in Sunday’s incident.
Ulster Unionist MLA Robin Swann urged communities to help stamp out the “pathetic” problem ahead of the Halloween school holidays.
He added: “I issue a plea to young people who may be considering taking part in the pathetic killer clown craze which is now sweeping Northern Ireland – please think twice before someone is either seriously hurt or dies.
“What may seem like a bit of fun, could end up in a criminal record that could affect the rest of your life.
“The act itself is highly irresponsible where sad individuals get a kick out of scaring old and young alike. If this childish and potentially fatal ‘craze’ is not eradicated, we could have a situation where an elderly person, or any individual with a heart condition, dies from the fright.”
Police had not commented on yesterday’s incident last night.
But Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin said the PSNI were taking killer clown reports seriously.
&apos;Killer clowns&apos; warning issued by PSNI
Killer clowns spark terror at second top Northern Ireland grammar school - Belfast Live
Killer clowns spark terror at second top Northern Ireland grammar school
Children and parents were last night urged to be on their guard against the “ridiculous” perpetrators
06:43, 11 OCT 2016
Killer clowns sparked terror at a second Northern Ireland grammar school yesterday.
Police patrolled Dalriada School in Co Antrim over fears pupils as young as 11 could be targeted by maniacs.
Children and parents were last night urged to be on their guard against the “ridiculous” perpetrators.
PSNI officers were deployed to Dalriada in Ballymoney just days after children claimed they had been terrorised by a knife-wielding clown in a public park in the town.
DUP MLA Mervyn Storey called for the sick pranksters to stop before somebody is seriously hurt.
He fumed: “This seems to be a craze which has come here from America and is putting communities into fear.
“What may be seen as a prank by someone can end up in a serious situation and today we have seen that in Ballymoney.
"Warnings have been issued by schools to make sure pupils and parents are vigilant. To have police outside and patrolling schools is ridiculous and will put extra, undue pressure on the PSNI . It is worrying for anyone to see the such action being taken to protect the public.
“I condemn those who are taking part and I hope this activity stops before it causes a serious situation. Anyone with any information as to who may be responsible should go to the police.”
&apos;Killer clown&apos; goads drivers amid fears somebody will die as result of craze
Ulster Unionist councillor Darryl Wilson added: “In the Ballymoney and Coleraine area people have been mimicking the online craze which in turn has caused distress to people within our communities, particularly the young and the elderly, which is completely unacceptable.
“Those responsible may feel that their actions are harmless, however they are causing distress to others while putting themselves in harm’s way too. I would strongly urge those responsible t
o put an end to this intimidating behaviour immediately before someone is seriously injured or worse.
“The PSNI are aware of the incidents and will continue to monitor the situation.”
The sinister craze, which started in America, has spread across the UK and Ireland in recent days.
Yesterday’s incident was the second time police have been deployed to a Northern Ireland school in the past week because of sick online threats.
Children threatened by knife brandishing &apos;killer clown&apos; in Ballymoney park
Officers were sent to Coleraine Grammar School on Friday after a message on Instagram suggested the school was a target.
Pupils were kept indoors while checks were carried out to make sure it was safe.
A short time later, further social media posts named Dalriada and nearby Ballymoney High School.
A picture allegedly showing a clown outside Cullybackey College in Ballymena was also posted online at the weekend.
A short distance away in Harryville, a clown was caught on camera goading drivers by standing in the middle of a busy road .
Drivers blasted the “idiot” clown involved in Sunday’s incident.
Ulster Unionist MLA Robin Swann urged communities to help stamp out the “pathetic” problem ahead of the Halloween school holidays.
He added: “I issue a plea to young people who may be considering taking part in the pathetic killer clown craze which is now sweeping Northern Ireland – please think twice before someone is either seriously hurt or dies.
“What may seem like a bit of fun, could end up in a criminal record that could affect the rest of your life.
“The act itself is highly irresponsible where sad individuals get a kick out of scaring old and young alike. If this childish and potentially fatal ‘craze’ is not eradicated, we could have a situation where an elderly person, or any individual with a heart condition, dies from the fright.”
Police had not commented on yesterday’s incident last night.
But Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin said the PSNI were taking killer clown reports seriously.
&apos;Killer clowns&apos; warning issued by PSNI