SINGAPORE — The police are investigating a series of incidents where individuals dressed as clowns were reported to have approached children at various primary schools.

The police on Monday (Sept  20) confirmed that multiple reports had been lodged and advised members of the public to stay away from strangers and to report any suspicious persons or activities to the police. 

“The police are verifying the facts with an education centre on their alleged involvement in the incidents. Police investigations are ongoing,” added the police, which did not name the education centre. 

A parent told TODAY that his wife and daughter, who is in Primary 2, were approached by one such clown outside Angsana Primary School in Tampines on Sept 15.

Mr Muhd Armin, 37, said the man who was wearing a clown hat and clown mask, gave his wife a flyer from Speech Academy Asia and encouraged her to sign her daughter up for public speaking classes.

“If she wanted to sign up, there was a form to fill up but my wife said that she would consider it and then just went home,” Mr Muhd said.

TODAY has reached out to Speech Academy Asia.

A check of Speech Academy Asia’s Facebook page on Monday found that it was flooded with angry comments about its alleged involvement in the incidents.

In response to one of these comments, the centre said: “Please do allow us to apologise for any inconveniences caused. We are currently in the midst of discussion to see how we can rectify the situation.”

Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin took to Facebook on Monday, sharing a partial screenshot of a letter from a primary school notifying parents that the police have been alerted to “persons dressed as clowns seen loitering around primary schools and requesting them to follow them”.

He also posted a picture of a man dressed as a clown outside what appeared to be a school near Bedok South. 

“Whoever is doing what I assume to be some viral marketing nonsense, stop it! People dressed as clowns have been seen loitering around primary schools asking students to follow them. Please remind your children, do not follow them and to report to the police.

“I trust the police are investigating this. It’s not amusing and just plain dangerous,” Mr Tan wrote.