SA police take clown threats seriously

Dressing up as clowns to scare or threaten people is no laughing matter, South Australian police say.

"Police would like to emphasise to those who may intend to engage in this kind of behaviour, for whatever intention, that it could potentially result in danger to them or other members of the public," they said in a statement on Saturday.

Any reported threats would be taken seriously and investigated, police said.

The promise comes amid reports the recent spate of creepy clown incidents in the US has spread to Australia, and after Victorian police warned "any intimidating and threatening" behaviour would not be tolerated.