A PERSON dressed as a clown has been walking the streets of north Hampshire scaring residents in the area. 

Police responded to a number of calls in Baughurst on Friday evening, but were unable to locate the clown's whereabouts. 

PCSO Aimee Scott-Molloy said: "You may be aware of videos of clowns from America appearing on social media. Unfortunately, this craze has now made it into some parts of the UK. 

"This incident is the first of its type to happen in the area of rural Basingstoke, however your local police want to reassure the public that we are taking incidents like this seriously."

Police across England have been called to dozens of incidents in which pranksters dress as "creepy clowns" to deliberately scare people.

The culprits are said to be following a trend that started in the US.

Several sightings of creepy clowns have been reported in the Andover area.

A number of residents have taken to Facebook page Spotted in Andover to share their stories, with sightings reported in King Arthurs Way, Enham and Tidworth.

In County Durham on Friday, four children were followed to school by a man in a clown outfit who was armed with what looked like a machete.

On Sunday Thames Valley Police said it had been called to 14 incidents in 24 hours.

If anyone has seen the clown or is worried for their safety they should call Hampshire Constabulary on 101 quoting 44160379643.