Two people have been arrested following reports of weapon-brandishing clowns in Dunedin's student quarter.
The incident in North Dunedin follows a string of clown-related crimes worldwide and an attack on a Hamilton woman by two men dressed as clowns earlier this month.
A Dunedin police spokeswoman confirmed that two people were arrested last night.
“Police received reports last night around 10.30pm of two people who had confronted others in the Duke St/Dundas St area,'' she said.
"They were dressed as clowns. There were reports that the people were holding weapons, but this has not been confirmed.''
A post on anonymous social media app Yik Yak referenced the incident.
"F*** the guy dressed as a clown down near the [Botanic] gardens. Stop chasing people you crazed being!'' it said.
The incident comes less than a fortnight after Southern police posted a message on their official Facebook page calling for calm in relation to the 'creepy clown' craze.
"Police are aware of information circulating on social media regarding reports of people dressed as clowns confronting members of the public,'' the post on Southern district police's Facebook page said.
"These reports appear to have originated in the USA and there is no evidence of this occurring in New Zealand, or any criminal element and risk to public safety relating to these reports.
"Police ask anyone with concerns for their safety, or anyone who becomes aware of any suspicious or concerning behaviour, to call 111 immediately.''
Police could not provide further details on the two arrested on Sunday, including their charges or court appearance dates.
Meanwhile, costume hire stores across New Zealand have withdrawn clown outfits and masks from their shelves for Halloween after the incidents.
The 'creepy clown' fad has also been linked to a spate of threats and violence in the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom.
British police have warned people against dressing as clowns, with a man in Cumbria dressing as Batman and vowing to chase them off.
On Friday, Swedish police searched for a man in a clown mask after a stabbing in the south of the country. Similar incidents were reported elsewhere in Sweden, as well as Denmark and Norway.
- additional reporting New Zealand Herald
