Police say dozens detained in ‘horror clown’ craze

Police say they are on the lookout for teenagers in clown masks after fears the craze would cause violent reactions from those being frightened, with dozens already detained.

“Police operations are continuing in various areas to protect public places and prevent further incidents,” police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld tells AFP.

He says that about 12 youngsters, including two 14-year-olds, were detained over the past few days.

Rosenfeld says that they sought only to frighten people, not to harm them.

“There haven’t been any attacks. It’s just been people dressed up and walking around with fake axes, fake knives, etcetera,” he says.

Police have, however, warned that such pranks could go horribly wrong in a country where people are constantly on edge for fear of militant attacks and where many carry firearms.

Media reports have suggested a link between the phenomenon, which appears to have broken out around the beginning of October, and the September 14 release in Israel of Stephen King’s film “It,” featuring an evil clown who preys on teenagers.

— AFP