Clown costumes banned for Halloween in French town

A small town in southern France has banned people from wearing clown costumes in the street, especially on Halloween.

The decision by mayor Pierre Dudieuzere, of Vendargues, near Montpelier, follows a series of incidents around France in which people dressed as scary clowns spooked children and in several cases assaulted people.

In one incident, an adolescent assaulted a passerby with an iron bar.

The phenomenon has spread on Facebook during the past few weeks, with groups tracking clown sightings across the country.

But Vendargues, with 6,000 inhabitants, is apparently the first town to ban clowning around.

The ruling, posted on the town’s website, said the ban is “absolute” tonight, Halloween, and will be in force throughout November for everyone aged 13 and older.

PA