Creepy clowns terrorise rural Californian town

A Californian town is being terrorised by "evil" clowns, with a recent sighting forcing police to scramble to reports one was carrying a gun.

The city of Bakersfield in the San Joaquin Valley is reeling with scared residents being chased late at night by clowns, with police vowing to make arrests and put an end to the shenanigans.

The pranks took a sinister turn on Saturday night when Bakersfield police responded to the reports of a clown carrying a weapon in a suburban street, the Bakersfield Californian reports.

Officers rushed to the area but could not locate the clown.

"We've had multiple of these clown sightings all over town," Bakersfield police Lieutenant Jason Matson told the Californian.

"He was gone by the time we arrived."

Just last week police arrested a minor who allegedly admitted to dressing as a clown and scaring other youths.

The clown rampage has been linked to an art project by a couple from nearby Wasco who post photos on social media of a creepy clown posing in public places late at night carrying balloons.

The so called "Wasco Clown" has attracted thousands of followers and likes on Instagram and Facebook.

A similar series of pranks also occurred in the UK in 2013, with a creepy clown appearing in the streets of Northhampton gaining a cult following around the world.

However police in Bakersfield are not amused at their own clown or clowns, vowing to crack down on any copycats.

"We will make arrests on this," Sergeant Joseph Grubbs told the Californian.

"We want this to stop."