A Victorian Halloween event for kids has banned anyone from dressing as a clown after an allegedly axe-wielding man in a clown mask threatened a woman in the same area.
Police will be called if anyone in a clown costume tries to enter the Old Gippstown Halloween Spooktacular event in Moe on October 28, the event's Facebook page warned late on Tuesday.
Old Gippstown Heritage Park manager Kevin Reardon says they felt it necessary to issue the warning to ensure attendees would feel safe and have a good time.
"If we have a scary clown here, is he a benign clown or is he one of the idiots that's going to cause trouble?" he told AAP on Wednesday.
"To be on the safe side, we've said dress as something else."
A 23-year-old man was arrested in Moe on Sunday over the alleged axe threat incident and is expected to be charged on summons with assault, weapons, public order and disguise offences.
Victoria Police warn that dressing up as clowns to scare people is not funny and could in many cases be criminal behaviour.
