Well, this is truly the stuff of nightmares, and not just for coulrophobics (those with a fear of clowns).

The residents of an apartment building in the American town of Greenville, South Carolina, have been warned that a "clown or person dressed in clown clothing" is trying to lure children into the woods behind the complex. The property manager at the Fleetwood Manor Apartment complex wrote to all the residents last week to urge them not to let their children out of their sight, CNN is reporting. https://twitter.com/CNN/status/770291423967141888 The warning reads:

"There has [sic] been several conversation [sic] and a lot of complaints to the office regarding a clown or a person dressed in clown clothing taking children or trying to lure children in the woods. "First and foremost at Fleetwood Manor Apartments childrens [sic] safety is a top priority. At no time should a child be alone at night, or walking in the roads or wooded areas at night. "Also if a person or persons are seen you are to immediately call the police. Greenville County Police Department is aware of the situation and have been riding [sic] the property daily. "Remember there is a 10pm curfew for the property so to ensure your childrens [sic] safety please keep them in the house during night hours and make sure at ALL times children are supervised. Anymore information that becomes regarding this issue will be sent out to all residents. Thank you, Property Manager."

This will no doubt induce shudders in all of us who were traumatised in the early '90s by watching the TV adaptation of Stephen King's IT - about a homicidal clown named Pennywise that takes the form of the worst fears of the children in a small US town. A new version of King's terrifying clown tale is due next year, so perhaps this will turn out to be an early viral marketing scam? https://twitter.com/nerdist/status/767224736359129089 Because we all need to believe that a news story this scary can't possibly be real. https://twitter.com/StephenKing/status/768211911322329088