A CLOAKED figure caught on camera roaming the streets of Kidderminster has left locals concerned it could be linked to a new 'plague doctor' TikTok craze terrifying families elsewhere in the country.
The three-second-long video, shared on social media by local resident Leah Wilde, shows a person in a floor-length black cloak and what looks to be a beaked mask, walking the streets around Woodbury Road and Jubilee Drive at around 2pm on Sunday (March 28).
It comes after reports of people dressed as 'plague doctors' chasing children in Scotland, which are said to be linked to a new craze sweeping the video sharing platform TikTok.
Children in the Dumfries area of Scotland were left terrified last week after a so-called plague doctor was spotted near a school and purposefully frightened two pupils.
Police in Dumfries received three separate reports of the creepy figure in the area and rumours circulating on social media claimed people dressed in the costumes were physically attacking people, although officers said they had not confirmed any reports of that nature.
There were also reports of a 'plague doctor' spotted in Norwich.
The trend has caused rumours to spiral in other areas of Britain. Police in Scunthorpe moved to reassure parents last week following false reports about children being chased by a plague doctor in the area.
The Shuttle understands that police have been alerted about the Kidderminster sighting and we have approached West Mercia Police for comment.
Plague doctors battled the Bubonic Plague in 1645, wearing all black medical gear. The medics wore long leather cloaks, large brimmed hats and 'crow' masks filled with sweet-smelling herbs.
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