A 'CLOWN' assaulted a man in a Dorset park in one of several incidents reported to the police. 

A 'killer clown' craze, started in the US, has been sweeping the UK.

Over the weekend, Dorset Police received a 'number of reports of members of the public being scared by people in clown costumes.'

In one incident, the victim was assaulted. He was attacked by another man whose face was painted like a clown in Richmond Park, Bournemouth. No arrests have been made.

Officers have now issued a stark warning to anyone thinking of joining in the craze. 

Bournemouth North Neighbourhood inspector Dave Kewley said: “While it obviously is not an offence to wear a costume in public, we would ask people to think about their behaviour toward others and what impact it may have.

"Anti-social behaviour and any actions that cause fear and distress will not be tolerated and could constitute a public order offence.

"Incidents such as these may seem harmless but can be frightening to those who experience it.”

Have you spotted any of these clowns in Dorset? Email your stories and pictures to us