An interesting example of tabloid hysteria

I recently became aware of this story, which I find fascinating. Not the story itself, but the fact that it is a story.

First there is this: Clowns in vans chasing terrified children spark warning 'go straight home after school today and not to loiter'

Quote:

Police are investigating after numerous reports of kids being approached by people wearing clown masks driving a van earlier this week Pupils have been warned to 'go straight home after school today and not to loiter' as reports continue of schoolchildren being stalked by clowns . Kent Police have issued the caution after a number of "suspicious incidents" in Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells, in Kent. Officers will also be going to schools in the area as part of their enquiries to a number of reports in the last couple of weeks which involve people travelling in vans and approaching pupils. And terrified school children have even been chased on their way home by people wearing clown or Halloween masks deliberately trying to scare them.

Then there was a photo, which looks like someone sitting down talking on the phone, and not chasing anybody.

Then they found the clowns

Quote:

A person who has been terrifying school children by approaching them wearing a clown mask has been revealed as an 18-year-old girl. Schools in Tonbridge in Kent issued warnings after frightened pupils reported being stalked by the terrifying figure. But how Kent Police have revealed the person behind the eerie prank was an 18-year-old girl. Police said she admitted being the person behind the mask who had been coming up to people in Hectorage Road and High Street, Tonbridge. There have been no further reports since October 14 and it has been established that there was no malicious intent.

Also:

Quote:

Officers have been liaising with local schools as part of enquiries relating to a number of different reports in recent weeks, involving people travelling in vans and approaching children. A number of reports have been investigated and enquiries have led to officers ruling out any crimes being committed.

So, all of this appears to be one young woman wearing a mask on one or two occasions with no malicious intent, and that being turned into hysterical accounts of numerous clowns deliberately terrifying and attempting to abduct children.

Now, I can understand being a parent, or a member of the police, or a teacher, or someone else concerned with the safety of children and so taking such reports seriously, but I do consider it fascinating that the whole thing blew up out of what is apparently one person doing something a little unusual, but harmless. That, basically, this week-and-a-bit long national news story boils down to "18 year old woman wears a mask".

via International Skeptics Forum http://ift.tt/2cNhCNL