The appearance of creepy clowns has been reported across the U.S. in recent months, starting in South Carolina, where children told police that a group of clowns had tried to lure them into the woods.
Thanks to the law of the internet, it was only a matter of time before the phenomenon showed up Down Under.
SEE ALSO:Creepy clowns are now terrifying children in the UKOn Sunday local time, Northam Police in Western Australia announced on Facebook they'd arrested a 19-year-old man for allegedly terrorising teenage girls while in a clown costume. He has been charged with disorderly behaviour and possession of a disguise.
"It is alleged that he chased a group of teenage girls while dressed as a clown," the police wrote. The man apparently chased the women to the door of a police station and tried to run away when officers opened the door.
It is not illegal to wear a clown costume. As police noted on Facebook, you will only be charged with wearing a clown disguise "if it is in connection to committing an offence."
The Western Australian police are not the only local force aware of the issue. On Friday, Victoria Police said it had heard reports of clown events in the state.
"The clown purge appears to be a copycat of incidents being seen in the US," the organisation said on its Facebook page. "Any intimidating or threatening, as well as anti-social behaviours will not be tolerated and will be investigated."
In New South Wales, where people in clown costumes were apparently spotted on Thursday night, Campbelltown police Inspector Tara Norton told the Daily Telegraphno arrests had yet been made.
"There's the potential for retaliation or people could be seriously hurt or could die by trying to get away," she said. "Don't get involved with a group of people going out to do something so ridiculous and dangerous. If you do, be prepared to face the consequences which will be serious."
Anonymous Facebook pages warning of dangerous clowns abound, from "Melbourne Clown Association" to "Clown Purge - Adelaide."
The Facebook page "Australian Clown Purge - Aint Clownin," which has more than 58,000 likes, recently suggested locals should expect sightings around the country, starting in New South Wales.
It also seems to take a break from terrifying Aussies to dabble in politics, most recently targeting right-wing senator, Pauline Hanson.
Credit: facebook/Australian Clown Purge - Aint Clownin (责任编辑：焦點)
This German startup wants to be your bank (without being a bank)
How wireless emergency alerts work
Elizabeth Warren takes Wells Fargo CEO to the woodshed over fake accounts
Eggo waffles were recalled and someone needs to tell the kids from 'Stranger Things'Balloon fanatic Tim Kaine is also, of course, very good at harmonica'The Flying Bum' aircraft crashes during second test flight
Airlander 10, the world's largest aircraft, on Wednesday crashed at its Cardington Airfield base in
...[详细]Samsung hit with lawsuit over exploding Galaxy Note7, report says
The reports of exploding Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphones have resulted in a massive recall. But for
...[详细]Sweet little princess is terrified of Donald Trump
Meeting a presidential candidate is the opportunity of a lifetime -- unless you're the Princess of F
...[详细]Man airdrops all iPhone 7 demo photos from an Apple Store and here they are
Remember all those beautiful photos taken on the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus that Apple showed du
...[详细]Over 82,000 evacuate as Blue Cut fire rapidly spreads in southern California
A rapidly spreading wildfire in southern California's Cajon Pass has grown in hot, dry weather, thre
...[详细]Here's how to use apps with Siri in iOS 10
With all of iOS 10's new messaging features, you'd be forgiven for forgetting that Siri support for
...[详细]Alcohol is the scariest monster in Anne Hathaway's 'Colossal'
Nacho Vigalondo’s Colossal, which stars Anne Hathaway and Jason Sudeikis, is a charming if sli
...[详细]Horrifying bejeweled crocs hit the runway at London Fashion Week
The ugly shoe craze is not over. We've seen what happens when Uggs and Tevas team up, and even the h
...[详细]
The group behind a growing list of celebrity social media breaches has struck again, this time takin
...[详细]Alligators may not have changed much in 8 million years
The species of alligator roaming Florida's swamps and golf courses may be millions of years older th
...[详细]