Education Ministry tackles scary clowns

The Education Ministry publishes guidelines meant to help children cope with a spate of scary clowns causing panic after dark.

“In recent weeks we’ve been receiving reports from pupils of youths dressing as clowns, going out into the streets and hiding in wait for children and others in order to frighten the public,” the ministry says, and urges parents to talk to their kids about it.

It says parents should “hold a conversation that promotes awareness of the issue… while providing information and an address to which to turn for help.”

If teachers decide to talk to pupils about the scary clowns, “It is important to emphasize and take into account the age of the pupils. The conversations must be adapted to their developmental stage, and shouldn’t frighten but rather convey soothing messages and increase their sense of security.”

The ministry says menacing others is a form of violence, and parents should lodge police complaints against any scary clowns they encounter.

Earlier today, police said they had detained eight minors on suspicion of dressing up as clowns and “causing panic.”