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French town bans clown costumes for Halloween

French town seeks to avoid "evil clowns" by banning anyone ages 13 and up from wearing clown costumes for Halloween.

By Ben Hooper
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VENDARGUES , France, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Officials in a French village have banned anyone over the age of 12 from dressing up as a clown for Halloween to avoid crimes committed by "evil clowns."

Village administrators in Vendargues said the ban on "individuals or groups of people aged 13 or more" dressing as clowns Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 was a response to recent crimes and pranks perpetrated by people in clown costumes across the country.

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Bruno Giraudo, a local official, said the village wants to "avoid any disruption... by evil clowns."

More than a dozen people have been arrested in recent days for committing crimes including assault on members of the public while dressed in clown costumes.

One clown-clad teenager was sentenced to four months in jail for striking a person 30 times with an iron bar.

The village's order said anyone seeking to dress as a clown during the month of November must receive permission from officials.

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