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Britain, get ready: creepy clowns have crossed the pond and popped up in the north of England, jumping out from behind bushes and luring children in the woods.

At least six clown-related incidents have been reported since Sept. 30 in Newcastle, leaving parents and teachers very worried, according to Northumbria Police.

Nobody has been attacked or injured in the incidents, which saw pranksters dressed up as clowns, leaping out from bushes and chasing pedestrians down the streets.

A teenage boy has been arrested in Blakelaw, near Newcastle, in possession of a "bladed article" in connection with the incidents, police said.

Police believe the pranksters are inspired by a similar behaviour in the U.S., where there have been clown sightings in at least six states in a wave of reports. Authorities in northern Texas said they're investigating tips about clown threats and clown-related arrests have been made in Ohio and Kentucky. 

Inspector Stephen Wykes said the pranks are leaving a number of young people "incredibly distressed."

“Parents of the children affected, and teachers at our local schools, are understandably concerned and we are working very closely with them as this is not something we want to see happening in our local community," he said.

“There has only been a handful of these incidents, which we think have been inspired by a trend in America, but we are keen to stop them before they cause anyone else further distress."

“We are keen to identify those people who are dressing up as clowns so we can speak to them about their conduct and establish whether any criminal offence has taken place.”

"There have been reports across the U.S. of men dressed up as clowns trying to lure children into woods as well as running around with knives and guns," Wykes continued.

"This has led to a number of arrests as well as police telling people to take photos of any clowns they see to help identify them. Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 101."

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