New reports prove why 'killer clowns', kids and pregnant women (obviously) don't mix

Here in the UK, while most of the stories are more joke-like than actually sinister, there are some reports that suggest that a few incidents have been more serious than just an innocent bit of pre-Halloween fun.

One woman in Whitwick, Leicestershire reportedly went into premature labour after a teen leapt out at her in a clown costume. A friend of the woman wrote about the incident on Facebook, and asked locals to be sensible and think about the consequences of frightening vulnerable people in this way:

"Thanks for the concern about my friend," she wrote. "She was eight months pregnant and had a stupid 17-year-old kid jump out on her dressed as a clown."

"The baby came early but mother and baby are doing good. Please, please think – old people and pregnant ladies aren’t the best to scare. It’s a nonsense craze that needs stopping."

Obviously we have no way of knowing what actually happened in this sitch, but if this is as reported, it's not funny at all, right?

Can you imagine being made to jump so badly it actually kick starts labour? Horrendous.

Meanwhile, a dad who decided to give some local kids a bit of a fright by dressing up as Ronald McDonald's less-appealing twin, found himself ARRESTED after the police failed to see the funny side of his jape.

The dad, who is from Auburn, Massachusetts, followed his son's school bus in his car and then pursued him, along with other children, on foot, all while wearing a scary clown mask. Unsurprisingly, terrifying all the kids in the process.

According to ScaryMommy, the local police took to social media to out the man, sharing a pic of him and writing:

"Auburn man who, while dressed as a clown, followed several middle school students from their bus and bus stop. This caused extreme fear to the children and also caused them to have to hide under a nearby backyard deck to avoid the man."

Not the wisest way to prank your kids, we're sure you agree.

And just this morning, Scotland Yard said they were investigating 3 London-based clown incidents in just one week, after the Islington Gazette reported a woman had been chased down a north London street by a knife-wielding jester on a bike in the early hours of the morning.

So, it goes with out saying that we're really not liking this new craze at all. It's fine to have a bit of a scary fun on Halloween - and maybe pull the odd cheeky prank on your kids - but actually properly frightening children and pregnant women? Not on.

Images: Stock image via Getty and Facebook/Spotted Whitwick

Read more:

• The 'prankster' dad who went too far
• eBay positive pregnancy test prank - funny or not?
• Pranksters con public with missing child video