THE terrifying clown craze gripping America has spread over the Atlantic and to the Forest of Dean.

Two sightings of a person dressed in a clown costume and mask wielding a knife in Drybrook were confirmed by police after the assailant scared children in the sleepy Dean village.

There have also been unconfirmed reports of police attending an incident at Linear Park in Cinderford.

A clown was first spotted in Bracken Road, Drybrook at 6.55pm on Monday October 10 when the person reporting the incident noticed children playing outside their home were scared by the suspect.

The caller and the children’s parents ran out to find the clown but the suspect disappeared.

Just under an hour later, at 7.40pm, children were scared out of woodland near Hazelfield by a male in full clown costume and a mask.

A 12-year-old boy and his friends were chased out of the woods and went to a park where his mother went to pick him up and bring him home, and saw the clown herself.

She looked to chase the man, but he ran back into the woods.

A Police spokesperson said: "We have been dealing with some instances of people who are dressing up as clowns in order to frighten others."Anyone with concerns should report to police on 101 so that we can investigate. Do not confront anyone dressed as a clown."While some might view this as funny, the act of frightening or threatening others may be enough to warrant public order criminal offences."If you are carrying a knife you will be arrested for possession of a blade in a public place."