Hundreds of 999 calls reporting ghosts, aliens, zombies and witches have been made in northern England over the past five years, according to a Freedom of Information request. Greater Manchester Police received 416 such calls since 2010, averaging one every four days.
In one incident in July 2011, a man from North Manchester rang 999 to say he had been abducted by aliens and was now walking funny. He told the call handler he felt daft reporting it as he did not think anyone would believe him, and could not remember where he was taken. He also reported having cuts and bruises from his “experience”.
Other bizarre calls include a woman in November 2014 who told operators that aliens were plugging in and playing with pianos under her floorboards. In the same month, a Bolton woman called police claiming a ghost had taken her shampoo and toothbrush, and she was sure her hamster was not responsible.
On at least half a dozen occasions, callers requested the services of Ghostbusters. In September 2015, a man at Salford Quays said he was being attacked by aliens and asked for Sean Connery to come and help before hanging up.
