Police are investigating reports of a man dressed as a clown who has been springing up around Singapore trying to scare people.

A YouTube video uploaded on Sunday by user Joel Wong shows a man in a clown mask with red hair and white jacket hiding in various locations including a park where he crouches in the bushes, and then jumps up to scare passers-by.

At the end of the video, two policemen are seen requesting the prankster's identity card.

Police confirmed that they received a call for assistance at Block 489C, Tampines Street 45 at 10.40pm last Saturday . "Upon arrival, the police engaged the parties involved and advised them accordingly," the statement said.

Police also advised the public to refrain from such activities.

Criminal lawyer Sunil Sudheesan said: "If police decide to investigate, it could be an offence under the Miscellaneous Offences Act."

Similar incidents have been reported around the world recently.

Rahimah Rashith