A prankster arrested after being filmed jumping out at shoppers in Chatham dressed as a killer clown has been handed a police caution.

The joker got more than he bargained for when one of his targets fought back at the Dockside Outlet Centre car park.

The stunt didn't quite go as planned when one of his unsuspecting targets punched him in the face, leaving him with a bloody nose.

The man's friend, who fled when the masked menace appeared, is then seen hurling a milkshake at him.

In the video, the 23-year-old is also seen dragging the bat across the floor and chasing other "victims", who run towards their car before speeding off.

But someone failed to see the funny side, and reported him to the police. He was arrested yesterday, and has since been cautioned.

Police said they investigated the incident in Maritime Way, Chatham, on Sunday, October 9.

A spokesman said: "It is reported that between 9pm and 9.51pm a person dressed as a clown threatened a teenage girl.

VIDEO: Killer clown prank backfires

"A 23-year-old Sittingbourne man was arrested in connection with this incident on suspicion of committing a public order offence."

"He later received a police caution."

It comes after unconfirmed reports a clown wielding a severed head and a machete chased a pensioner in Ashford.

Elsewhere, in Canterbury, a cyclist was reportedly chased through the University of Kent campus by a pack of clowns.

The craze has also reached Maidstone and Paddock Wood, with two people speaking out about coming face to face with terrifying clowns.

Police across the country have received reports of the so-called “creepy clowns” and have warned pranksters, following the US trend, that they may face prosecution for public order offences.

In Kent, nearly 60 clown-related incidents were reported in just three days.

Between October 7 and 10, 59 complaints have been made about clowns.

Supt Simon Thompson from Kent Police said: "While there have been some instances where people in masks have intimidated others, we have also received calls to report clown sightings in general.

"We would ask those people looking to report clown incidents to us to consider whether an offence has taken place, such as causing distress or fear, as there will be a lot of people dressed up in the coming weeks as Halloween approaches.

"If someone is being intimidated, threatened or their safety is put in danger, call us."