A TEENAGER in south Cumbria sent a sinister picture of himself wearing a clown mask to a girl with a warning he would rape her and cut her throat, police have said.

Details of the incident emerged as Cumbria police have received 23 more "clown craze" reports in the last 24 hours.

Cumbria police said at around 5.20pm yesterday in Kendal, it was reported that a 13-year-old girl had received threatening messages via Instagram from someone posing as a clown who threatened to cut her throat and rape her. Police said a 13-year-old boy was identified as the offender and he was arrested for malicious communications.

In three of the 23 reported incidents, offenders have been identified and action has been taken.

There were two incidents in Millom. At around 5.20pm yesterday, it was reported that a man was wearing a white mask and was following a group of children aged 10 to 13. A 23-year-old man was interviewed and has been reported for a section 5 public order offence.

At 7.15pm yesterday it was reported that a clown jumped out of a car and scared a female pedestrian in Millom. A suspect was identified and a crime was submitted for a public order offence.

Superintendent Mark Pannone, of south Cumbria police, said: “The majority of the public understand the impact and harm that this clown craze is causing, particularly to children.

“We are hoping that this craze will pass this week and we’d urge the small minority of people still taking part to stop. Dressing up as a clown and deliberately trying to scare and intimidate others is causing a lot of distress to people and we will not tolerate it - this 'prank' could lead to you being arrested for a public order offence, possession of an offensive weapon or even an assault.”

Other reports received by police include:

*Church Lane, Barrow - Report of six young people running in and out of church choir practice wearing clown masks trying to scare the congregation. Youths left area prior to officers on scene.

*West Shore Road, Walney - Sighting of two males in clown masks pretending to jump out in front of cars. Area was searched, however no suspects were found.

*Dalton - Report that two clowns have been seen in park near leisure centre. No threats made and no further sightings.

*Kendal - Report of clowns in woods chasing children. Also a report of another young person seen in area with a knife. Inquiries are ongoing.

*Wigton - Clown sighting in Phoenix Park. No threats made. No further reports.

*Appleby - 14-year-old received Facebook friend request from a clown. Clown then made threats. Inquiries discovered it was his friend playing pranks.

*Carlisle - Staff at school reporting that three young people in clown masks were hanging around outside school the previous evening.

*Carlisle - Teacher at school reported that a nine-year-old pupil had been chased by three adults in clown masks the previous evening.

*Carlisle - Caller reporting seeing someone jumping out and scaring people in the underpass by Trinity School wearing a clown mask. Caller refused to see officer.

*Whitehaven - S34 Dispersal Order put in place for Hensingham Square. Whitehaven, between 6pm yesterday until 5.59pm on Thursday. PCSOs and plain clothes officers deployed in location during which police van was “egged” by youths.

*Vulcans Lane, Workington - Report of clown carrying an axe or wooden baton chasing 11-year-old girl. Victim identified and crime report for S4 submitted. No suspect located to date.

*Sainsbury’s, Penrith - Report of young people aged 12 to 13 seen talking about obtaining clown costumes and knives and going to Sainsbury’s to scare people.

*Norfolk St, Carlisle - Caller reported having seen from her bedroom window six young people in a park, two were in clown masks. Not threatening anyone.

*Hugh St, Whitehaven - Two young people were seen running down street dressed as clowns. No threats made.

*Chapel St, Appleby - Report of six to eight young people in clown masks jumping out of bushes at people walking past. Officer deployed on foot in area. No sightings.

* Blackwell Rd, Carlisle - Report of clown looking over caller's rear garden wall. Clown then left area. No threats made or offences disclosed.

*Shadygrove Rd, Carlisle Report of around 20 young people with clown masks outside police station. Area searched by officers. No sightings.