UFO Reports 2014 to 2024

Publication Number: 1379

Essex Police can report the following information regarding recorded UFO incidents between 2014 and 2024 from previous FOI disclosures:

Caveat: The data is correct as at 30 September 2025

Notes

• Results are gathered from the Essex Police Command & Control system where the Final Call Type is ‘UFO’.
• The recorded incident comments reproduced below are a selection from each report that are the most relevant to the subject of the publication. Non-relevant content has been omitted.
• Personal details that could potentially identify individuals have been redacted.
• UFO reports are recorded in line with National Standards of Incident Recording (NSIR) whereby we are required to record matters specifically relating to a Policing purpose. The report of an alleged UFO has the potential to be an aircraft in distress or an instance of illegal aircraft activity. Although the purpose of the UFO incident type is to identify specific Policing needs with regards to aircraft, some of these records may reflect sightings of alleged aerial phenomenon that elude obvious explanation. However, these are not of Police interest and their possible origin is not a Policing matter.

2014

Castle point

From the infs address it is in the sky in the direction of the sea.

Inf reports for the last 30 mins he has been observing an object in the sky.

It had different lights on it, blue, green & red

It is still in the sky now, not moved, been there for more than 30 mins now.

Making no noise

Originally inf thought it was a plane or star

2015

Chelmsford

Droning sound about her vehicle. She looked up and saw a ufo about 80-100meters abover her vehicle.

I have taken a photocopy of the drawing. Inf had to leave but she has refernce number.

Inf would like to report a ufo sighting.

Lights a the slimmer end and the fron was pointy. It was totally black and had a flourescent rectangle shape in the middle.

She has even drawn a picture of what she saw. Personally i believe it looks like a very similar shape to the underneath of a helicopter. She sade it had orange/green flashing

She states that on 15/03/2015 at approx 2100 - 2130. She was in her vehicle and was just about to enter the army and navy roundabout from the great baddow junction. She heard a

She wanted to report it but didnt know who to report it to.

Braintree

Inf is reporting that he saw a bright orange light in the sky and then saw the light speed off.

No sound from this

This was from the dirction from the south

Vertical shape aircraft.

Very quick moving

Uttlesford

A cluster of lights in the sky in the newports stansted airport direction 4 or 5 lights

A cluster of lights in the sky in the newports stansted airport direction 4 or 5 lights

Fcr sup: checking with kd - there is in total five aircraft in the area awaiting to land

Fcr sup: info also states the lights could be coming from the stansted airports direction

Inf can still see these

Inf states it looked like a ufo

Off duty herts officer reporting 5/6 lights flying above saffron walden direction. Inf believes they could be helicopters but is suspicous.

Tendring

Inf is reporting last night around midnight a drone was flying in the street, inf said she heard a noise outside her address and opened the curtains and saw it. It had a flashing

Inf cannot describe the object -- only that it was buzzing and had red/white flashing lights  --  header changed to ufo

Inf then said it flew down and off and couldn't see it.

It was there for 20mins outside the inf window.

She called mainly because she thought it might have belonged to police  , and maybe we had the wrong house!

Basildon

Inf states she can see flashing lights in the sky

It flashing constantly.

Its a white light hidden behind a couple of trees

Not too sure but doesn't seem to be lightning weather outside

Southend

For 30 seconds.  Then it stopped and got dimmer incredibly fast.

He is used to seeing satellites etc but this was different.

Inf reports that at 2258 he witnessed a strange incident in the sky.  A really bright light shone, went north for about a minute but then it stopped and started moving back south

Tendring

Inf doesn't know what they are.

Inf stated that they were all flying towards london road.

Inf states that there was quite a few of them.

Inf states that they can see something flying in the sky - inf can only see green and a red light - inf cannot see any body work.

Inf states that they flew across really close together - not like planes and not flying at the same height as a plane - more of the height a helicopter hovers.

She is concerned that police are going to think that she has gone mad but she has just seen another one go over head.

She stated that there weren't planes, helicopters, lanterns or a type of drone.

She states that they made a droning kind of noise as well.

2016

Chelmsford

And when the spotted it, it was very low and did not have any lights on and it was travelling very slowly for an aircraft.

But it looked like a helicopter.

But may not have had anything obvious such as landing lights on at the time.

Inf report a low flying aircraft over burnt mills >> chelmsford with no lights on.

It didn't sound like a helicopter.

It was a black and about the size of a minibus.

It was travelling 100-150ft off the ground.

The inf heard it and couldn't see it at first.

The inf says it did not sound like a police or army helicopter.

2017

Thurrock

2 ufo's moving extremely quickly

Another one is above an office hovering

Both flew up in the sky

Both have glowing lights on them flashing red and green

He has seen these lights flashing red & green crossing from the essex side to kent side of river

Inf first noticed the lights appear from nowhere and zigzagging from kent to essex

Inf has noticed 2 glowing lights from his window that looks out over the thames

Inf is concerned as to what these are due to current climate

Inf said a police car has also stopped on the thames side

Lights are moving extremely quickly and at times going high

Not helicopter/airplane

Now both are flashing again

2018

M25

Inc happened about 4 mins ago inf saw a green flourescent light like a comet coming from the sky, inf saw 2 planes above it and a smaller plane

Basildon

Inf states that there is a big faded ball of light going in and out of the clouds above him.

Inf was wondering if it was one of our aircrafts.

It goes fast , slows down and then hovers.

'It is above the clouds but it isnt'

It is making strange manouevers

The inf is watching it with  family and it is fascinating

2019

Basildon

Inf heard a hgih pitch noise at around 00:00hrs

Inf stating this was about 300ft high

It was there for about 12-14 minutes, inf then went back inside and did not see where the ufo headed once it left

Basildon

Went outside of  backdoor and saw a very large object of about the size of 4 helicopters

The noise was a very high pitched noise and was stationary in the sky above  neighbours house.

There were green lights on one size and red lights on the other side.

The ufo was squared shaped

Basildon

Caller is reporting that  has seen a ufo.

Also said it looked like '2 drones on fire'.

He could only describe it as 'really fast streams of light' similar to a flare.

He struggled to explain it and said it appeared to be 'out of this world'.

Wasnt sure what officers would be able to do if they attened but he was concerned for their saftey.

Was quite concerned that we would not take this seriously

2020

Colchester

Inf has just seen three objects in the sky

Inf states is 100% sure they were not airtcraft and were too big to be drones

Inf states that it is not a helicopter

Inf states the lights were far too bright to be helicopters

States there was no noise from any of the three so is sure that what he saw was not a helicopter or plane

The first one described as being like a fire ball

They were going too fast for lanterns

They were travelling in the same direction and speed

Saffron walden

Asked the caller if its possible it was some kind of aircraft or a drone, caller said definately not

Caller also added isnt seeing things

Caller states they were driving along and saw a flaming ball going through the sky

It was quite low and approx the size of a football with flames coming out the back of it

The object was flying in the direction of radwinter - didnt see / hear it hit the ground or land

Ongar

Inf states that has just seen around 30/40 lights in convoy flying across the sky,

Inf states that there was about 10 to start with in an exact line together and then another group of 10-12 then another 10-20 coming along every few mins.

Inf states there were no plane flying lights and were going at the same speed on the same track.

Inf states they were coming from west to east.

Colchester

30 balls of light in formation

5 of them say they say the light

Balls of light

Caller and his family reports seeing balls of light shoot across the sky

Southend-on-sea

Said it went as such a speed, and after following it closely behind was two aircrafts, inf couldnt tell which aircrafts they were but saw the "red warning lights" on them .

Inf reporting saw a big orange light of what believed was mars the planet.

Inf stated knows what things go on in the world behind scenes. And believed this to be a strange sighting.

2021

Waltham abbey

1 can still see 1 of them

Did not make any noise

Different couloured lights while going up and now flashing green and blue like a place, but definately not planes

Doubt if they are drones.

Flew down the river towards london direction - south

I stopped to have a break after 5 miles, and looked across the lake and saw them

I was out mountain biking and think i saw 5 ufo's spiralling in circles

My friend is with me and saw them too.

One has no reappeared and appears to be glowing.

Colchester

The inf states that couldn't hear anything, and checked "flight tracker" and couldn't see anything.

The inf states that doesn't know if this was military or not, but it seemed like a lot of lights which isn't usual.

The inf states that has seen 27 lights in the sky going over road in a straight line, they were covering about 1 mile, and were heading north east. The inf saw them at

2200, they were plain white lights, not flashing.

Rochford

In the garden which backs onto a woods, the caller looked up and saw a metal structure which looked like a long oblong bird. When the caller glanced at it, it disappeared, it didn't travel in a direction, to start with it was very low level and flying very fast. The caller states that it would not have been a bird as they live in a village this type of bird would travel in groups and they would not be in the area the caller was in at this time of night

Chelmsford

Inf was leaving the church at around 2115hrs tonight and as back was to the church was facing towards chelmsford town centre was 5-6 lights int he sky

The lights were dancing around and 2 shot off and then parted and disapeared

They were like balls in the air

2022

Stansted airport

Inc placed on as ufo as 3 aircraft reported an object was in their vicinity.

Inf from tower reporting that 2 planes have reported an object at about 500ft below them as they are coming into land on runway 22

The closest being 20km away.

Approach (2-3 miles out)  when their tcas (traffic collision avoidance system) alerted them to something at around 500ft.  None of the pilots could see anything when they looked

Clacton-on-sea

Could possibly be a drone but is unsure

Inf has been watching it for the past 30 minutes

Inf is reporting that there is a red flashing light in the sky which is stationary

States it is making feel uneasy

Inf states that there is a red flashing light in the sky above house but it is staying stationary and not moving

Chelmsford

Informant calling similar to the xref that can see a suspicious aircraft flying over the chelmsford area

The informant then went on to talk about the strange fly overs recently of chinnocks and apache helicopters around the chelmsford area

The lights on the aircraft are very suspicious and he believes it to be a ufo

Chelmsford

Is saying it might be the military

States nothing on this planet could do this

States they are flying over property

States this has been going on for 3/4 years

Inf states it is not a plane and we dont have anything that travels at such speed on planet earth

Inf states it isnt the first time has seen this

Inf states there are three different lights outside property

Hertfordshire

Ryanair was climbing out from stansted airport and was a height of 4000ft  and just over the st elizabeth centre

The pilot saw an object which describes as "black" which passed within 20 metres of the aircraft

The plane was travelling at 230mph and the object was travelling from north to south

They have said that it was possibly a drone but the drone monitoring equipment at the airport has not picked it up.

Ongar

Inf is reporting an aircraft above home with a large light pointing down at property, has been flying around home for the last hour, most likely a helicopter. Inf

Dunmow

From where was it loooked like the size of a football

Thinks it might have landed in one of the fields behind the church

Inf reports that last night approx 2230hrs saw a very bright light travelling through the sky that thought might have been a meteor or 'something else'

Inf states that the item was white and went behind the trees. Supposed that it landed but does not know. It could have been a meteor, size unknown. They diminish in size

2023

M25

Inf is reporting that about 15 mins ago has seen a strange object in the sku. Caller has said that  was travelling back from lakeside to basildon and was on the m25 when  saw it

Originally saw it on  way to lakeside at 1830hrs and was a bit shocked by it but couldnt work out what it was

Caller then saw it again on  way back from lakeside - they were taking a video of it and then it vansiihed in front of the inf eyes

Caller is unable to describe the object - as it was dark - has said it was just hoovering there  with just one singular bright light coming out of it

Chelmsford

Inf reporting that that there is a light in the sky swooping around and going from side to side

This happened around 0030hrs and now

Inf has no diea what it is

Inf reports its liek a white glow and it is hard to figure out exactly how high it is

Inf reports its just above the cloud line but it has stopped now

Inf reports the light has gone out too

Basildon

Caller states that can see a bright light in the sky

Bright - quite big - west sky - towards chelmsford nearly close to london

The caller seems to think it might be debris from space.

The big bright light is not moving

About hour that it has been there for.

Odd and looks like  elliptical

Could be over stanstead airport.

Bright light has gone now and the sky cleared but then was just informed that it came back

Caller stated that  and  partner was looking through  telescope

Something from it hanging down

They also was looking from there binoculars and still couldn't make out what it was.

Seemed very confused about it as  has a good knowledge of stars and planets ect.

Colchester

I would like to report a sighting of an unidentified flying object.  This occurred around 11:05hrs this morning mon 5th june 2023. The object appeared oval in shape and was a metallic colour with no apparent markings or lights. There were no conventional aircraft characteristics at all. The object was travelling east to west just south of my address in a straight line and the altitude was level around a 100 feet at all times as a guess.  The object was moving quickly across the sky very smoothly with no deviation in height or direction or without any affects of the weather is the only way i could describe it.  It was moving too fast for  bird and definitely was not a balloon that usually get affected by the wind causing them to turn or tumble.  This was unaffected by the light breeze blowing.

This was a solid oval shape and was silent. This was not a drone or model aircraft due to the way it was flying.  I viewed this from inside the rear of my home my home and then outside in the garden.  This object did not leave my sight until it was too far in the distance and obscured by another property.

I have no explanation as to what this object could be.

Airport

Inf reporting that between 22:30 and 22:35 on 22/08/23  and saw an enormous cylindrical object flying very high in the sky, it was flying against the runway north to

South and had a green luminescent glow.   Stated there was no sound, no smoke, no propulsion.  They observed it for 10 to 20 seconds as it travelled very slowly and then faded away.

Inf works for , airside on the ramps and states  has never seen anything like it before,  often star gazes and has been looking at the meteor showers.

2024

Colchester         

Some really strange lights have appeared in the sky

Inf "watched them appear in the sky"

They were huge, not a plane"

Inf thinks it may have been a flare

It was a "goldy orangey colour"

Looked like a flare

Transfer because calltype ufo

Inf is describing a possible flare that has been sent up from an unconfirmed location

Call from rmp colchester - these were flares and will be the same circs tomorrow night

Maldon         

Inf reports that something that looks to be maybe a parachute with something long dangling beneath it floating across the sky in different directions - is unsure what exactly it is - cannot confirm if a person is up there or not "ive never seen anything like it before"

Its completely black in colour

Wanted to call in case someone is in trouble

Inf cannot hear any voices calling for help

It is as high up as a helicopter's altitude would be

Inf can barely see it now - its travelling in direction of **** rd

Inf doesn't think its ain air balloon or anything similar --

Inf can no longer see it from where is now

Inf doesn't think its a drone either

No lights coming from it either

Ufo in sky - u/k if any persons on board or in danger at this time

Ufo is floating in the sky, inf cannot decipher what it is and is unsure if anyone is on board of it - it has moved out of sight from the inf's address

Southend-on-sea

Inf reporting 3 strange purple lights flashing in the sky

Strobe lights

Doesn't know what they are, could be explosions

After speaking to supervisor about the correct header, one of them mentioned at adventure island they do a light show in the sky with purple strobe lights

Reporting flashing lights in the sky, most likely from adventure island

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