Thames Valley Police have been called to 14 incidents where people have been intimidated or frightened by people dressed as clowns in the last 24 hours. 

The frightening prank - known as the 'killer clown' craze - swept across America and has now cropped up in the UK with reports of people dressed in clown masks and costumes scaring unsuspecting victims in the street. 

Police say the reports have come from areas across the Thames Valley including Chesham.

Nobody has been injured in the incidents so far.

Chief Supt Andy Boyd, head of neighbourhood policing, said: "While we do not want to be accused of stopping people enjoying themselves we would also ask those same people to think of the impact of their behaviour on others and themselves.

"Their actions can cause fear and anxiety to other people, this could be perceived to be intimidating and threatening which could lead to public order offences, arrest and a criminal record.

"In addition, their behaviour is causing multiple reports to our call takers and is tying up police resources which could impact on calls to other incidents.

"While we realise that reports of this kind are not restricted to the Thames Valley area, the issues of intimidation, potential arrest and waste of public resources are the same across the country and we would urge people to refrain from such activity."

TVP Special Constabulary took to Twitter to warn people that scaring the public dressed as a clown could be an offence under the Public Order Act 1986.