Britain’s clowning community fears its good name has been tarnished after police forces around the country revealed incidents of people in costume scaring members of the public.
The copycat craze – believed to have been started by a man known on Facebook as the Northampton Clown – involves people dressing as the circus characters to surprise passers-by in public places.
Tony Eldridge, secretary of Clowns International which represents the entertainers in Britain, said: “The people behind it might see it as a bit of a laugh, but for the victims it can be a horrible experience.”
Fox hunting should remain illegal
Eight out of 10 people believe fox hunting should remain illegal, an animal welfare charity has claimed.
The poll, carried out by Ipsos MORI on behalf of the League Against Cruel Sports and the RSPCA, found 80 per cent of the public wanted to keep the law, with support equally strong in both rural and urban areas.
It comes as supporters of foxhunting are pushing for a new vote on the ban, which had been promised by the coalition Government following the 2010 general election.
Former college student loses case
A former college student who sued federal agents for detaining him for hours at an airport after he was found with Arabic language flashcards that included the words “bomb” and “terrorist” has had his lawsuit rejected by a US appeals court.
Nicholas George sought to sue three Transportation Security Administration agents and two FBI agents over the August 2009 stop at Philadelphia International Airport, saying they violated his free speech rights and conducted an improper search and arrest based on the flashcards and a book critical of American policy in the Middle East.
A district judge rejected the agents’ assertion of immunity, but the Third US Circuit Court of Appeals overturned that ruling in a decision issued on Tuesday. (PA)
Santa Claus makes a splash
More than 210 dressed as Santa Claus, elves and snowmen surfed the Christmas Eve waves and snorkeled off central Florida’s Atlantic coast.
Florida Today reported that when Cocoa Beach Mayor Dave Netterstrom took in the view from the sand, he declared the fourth-annual gathering “the largest surfing Santa event on the planet”.
Organiser George Trosset says he may move the holiday event to central Cocoa Beach next year to accommodate growing crowds. (PA)
Admin staff top lottery poll
Administrative staff have been crowned the luckiest profession of the year after beating builders into the top spot for the most lottery winners.
Manufacturing employees and managers also beat builders who trailed in fifth behind workers from the care/social work/charity sector for bagging wins on the lottery. New figures revealed that this year has been a record-breaking year for National Lottery players, as 335 individuals joined Britain’s millionaire jet set.
The National Lottery Review of the Year revealed men and administrative staff had struck it lucky in 2013, and announced that the year would end with a further 25 more Brits receiving a £1 million cheque. (PA)