The 1980 Todmorden Incident

Exploring a Policeman’s UFO Encounter and Its Lasting Impact

In November 1980, a routine call led West Yorkshire police constable Alan Godfrey to the edge of Todmorden, where he reported a close encounter with a UFO that would change his life and spark nationwide intrigue. The incident occurred during an early morning patrol, when Godfrey investigated a report near the Todmorden train station and encountered an unexplained object hovering in the road.

This event quickly became one of the most well-known UFO sightings in the UK, drawing attention not only because of the mysterious circumstances, but also because the witness was a respected police officer. The Todmorden case remains notable within the ongoing debate about unidentified aerial phenomena in Yorkshire and beyond, prompting questions about what truly happened in that quiet West Yorkshire town.

Background of Todmorden and West Yorkshire

Todmorden sits at the crossroads of West Yorkshire and Lancashire, surrounded by steep valleys and dramatic landscapes. Its reputation for unique atmospheric conditions and a history of unusual events has made it a focal point in discussions about unexplained phenomena in the region.

Geographical and Historical Context

Todmorden is a market town in the Upper Calder Valley, straddling the historic border between Yorkshire and Lancashire. The town is marked by its stone architecture and the River Calder running through its center.

Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, Todmorden thrived as an industrial hub, known for its textile mills and engineering works. Its remote location among the Pennines, combined with frequent mists and changeable weather, has contributed to an air of mystery.

West Yorkshire itself is characterized by rolling hills, moorlands, and former industrial towns. This mix of rural isolation and industrial history helps explain why stories like the Todmorden Incident capture public attention.

UFO Alley and Notable Sightings

The area around Todmorden, including parts of Yorkshire and Lancashire, is often referred to as "UFO Alley." This term describes a corridor where a significant number of UFO sightings and unexplained aerial phenomena have been reported.

West Yorkshire in particular saw an increase in reported UFO incidents from the late 1970s. The Calder Valley, with its open skies and limited light pollution, became a hotspot for witnesses describing unusual lights and objects.

Notable cases include both civilian and police reports, lending credence to the idea that the region experiences above-average unexplained activity. The 1980 encounter involving PC Alan Godfrey is one of the most thoroughly documented incidents, but locals point to a pattern of sightings stretching back decades. Lists and logs compiled by researchers continue to highlight West Yorkshire as a persistent location for these events.

PC Alan Godfrey: The Policeman at the Center

PC Alan Godfrey, a serving police officer in 1980, found himself at the heart of the Todmorden incident. His professional career and duties within West Yorkshire Police placed him in a unique position when the UFO encounter occurred.

Professional Background

Alan Godfrey was born on 30 June 1947. Before his involvement in the high-profile Todmorden case, he built a reputation as a conscientious and reliable officer within the West Yorkshire Police.

Godfrey received regular assignments that required attention to detail and strong investigative skills. He was neither a newcomer nor an outsider; his established background helped lend credibility to his later statements and actions.

He maintained an unblemished service record before 1980, with no reports of misconduct or disciplinary actions. Colleagues often described him as diligent and level-headed, qualities valued in police work. These attributes would later become significant as public scrutiny intensified after his encounter.

Role in West Yorkshire Police

At the time of the incident, PC Godfrey was on routine patrol in Todmorden, a town within the jurisdiction of the West Yorkshire Police. His responsibilities often included investigating unusual reports and assisting with local emergencies.

He was specifically tasked with searching for a herd of missing cows on the night of the encounter. This detail, while seemingly ordinary, demonstrated his diverse duties as a constable. Godfrey's role also involved responding to suspicious activities and maintaining order in his assigned community.

His professional conduct earned him trust among colleagues and superiors. Though the aftermath of the incident brought personal and career challenges, records indicate he previously received police commendations for his service. Godfrey’s connection to the community and proven work ethic set the context for the extraordinary events that followed.

The Night of November 28, 1980

On November 28, 1980, PC Alan Godfrey was conducting routine police patrols in Todmorden, West Yorkshire. What began as a search for missing cattle ended in one of the most well-known UFO encounters reported by a British police officer.

Initial Patrol on Burnley Road

In the early hours, at approximately 5 a.m., Alan Godfrey drove his patrol car along Burnley Road. He was responding to a call about cattle wandering near a housing estate.

The road was mostly empty, and conditions were quiet but damp. Godfrey noticed a large black dog by the roadside—something he would later recall as odd for the time and place.

He scanned for signs of the missing cows, using his spotlight. At this stage, there was no sign of anything unusual other than the loose animals.

Encounter with Strange Lights

As Godfrey’s patrol progressed, he noticed an intense, blinding light ahead. The source was not immediately clear and did not resemble streetlights or vehicle headlights.

The light was described as very bright, making it difficult for him to see the road ahead. Godfrey slowed his vehicle, uncertain about what was causing the glow.

Suddenly, his police radio began to emit static, and the car’s engine faltered, briefly losing power. The behavior of both electronics was out of the ordinary, given his previous experience along the route.

Observation of the Diamond-Shaped Object

Emerging from the glare, Godfrey saw an object hovering slightly above the road surface. He described it as a large, diamond-shaped object, metallic, and with panel-like features along its sides.

The object appeared silent and stationary, blocking part of Burnley Road. Its base showed spinning lights or panels, unlike any aircraft he recognized.

Godfrey attempted to contact the station but was met only with continued static. As he tried to sketch what he was seeing, he experienced what he described as a period of missing time.

The diamond-shaped craft’s presence and the strange lights surrounding it became the central features of Godfrey's UFO sighting that morning.

The Alleged Encounter and Missing Time

During the early hours of November 28, 1980, PC Alan Godfrey reported experiencing an event that he could not easily explain. This incident involved unexplained gaps in time, physical symptoms, and his recollection of a mysterious craft while on duty in Todmorden, West Yorkshire.

Loss of Consciousness and Recollection

Alan Godfrey recounted seeing an unusual, diamond-shaped craft hovering above the road as he searched for missing cows. He described the object as being silent, with a row of bright lights along its edges. Godfrey attempted to radio for assistance, but found his equipment unresponsive.

Suddenly, he experienced a loss of consciousness. When he regained awareness, he was seated in his patrol car about 100 yards down the road from his previous location, with no memory of how he had moved. Details of his experience later emerged through hypnotic regression, where he described a strange room and encounters with humanoid beings, sometimes characterized as alien abduction.

Godfrey later noticed physical evidence, such as strange burns on his body and the presence of an unidentified ointment on his skin. These details contributed to the lasting interest in the incident.

Return to Patrol Car and Timeline Gaps

Upon regaining consciousness, Godfrey observed that his boots were scuffed and damp, as if he had walked a considerable distance. The car engine was turned off, and his notebook, which he had been using to sketch the sighting, was now on the passenger seat. The car’s clock and his wristwatch both appeared to show a period of missing time, estimated to be around 15 to 20 minutes.

Investigators found no clear explanation for these lost minutes or for how Godfrey and his vehicle had changed position. He mentioned that he had taken a ufo photo, but it had not captured any clear image. The lack of definitive photographic evidence and the unaccounted period remain central to the mystery, fueling ongoing speculation about the events of that morning.

Hypnotic Regression and Statements

Hypnotic regression played a significant role in uncovering Alan Godfrey’s memories about his encounter. Claims from these sessions added detailed elements about supposed alien contact and strange beings aboard a craft.

Sessions with Manchester Psychiatrist

Alan Godfrey agreed to undergo hypnotic regression with a qualified psychiatrist in Manchester. The goal was to help him recall details of the unusual episode he experienced while on patrol in Todmorden in November 1980. Under hypnosis, Godfrey described sensations, sounds, and sights he could not consciously remember.

His sessions focused on the missing time he experienced during the encounter. Godfrey reported a sudden beam of light, a loss of control over his vehicle, and then a blackout. The psychiatrist took detailed notes, and audio from these sessions formed part of the formal investigation.

Revelations of Robot-Like Creatures

During hypnotic recall, Godfrey stated he found himself inside a strange, geometric room after blacking out. He described being examined by robot-like creatures, which were unlike any humans he had encountered. He mentioned their mechanical, efficient movements and lack of human emotions.

He also recalled the presence of a figure he called "the operator," often depicted as a humanoid but with distinctly odd, artificial features. Godfrey’s descriptions did not align with popular depictions of “grays,” as the beings were short, bearded, and appeared more robotic than biological. Below is a summary of creatures he remembered:

Description Key Features Robot-like Mechanical, precise Small humanoid Bearded, unemotional

Abduction Stories and Alien Contact Activity

As the alien abduction case developed, Godfrey’s statements under regression suggested that he was subjected to a kind of medical examination by the beings. He reported procedures and telepathic communication, which are consistent with themes in other abduction stories but contained unique features.

Unlike some other alien contact activity reports, Godfrey insisted on specific physical interactions and unusual technology inside the craft. He did not recall typical “gray” aliens, but rather a mix of humanoid and mechanical entities. His account became one of the most notable British alien abduction cases, often noted for its distinctive details revealed through hypnotic regression.

Connections to Other Incidents

The Todmorden incident was not an isolated event, but part of a pattern of unusual cases in the UK around the same time. Similarities in witness testimony and specific details have drawn links among separate reports and heightened public interest.

The Zigmund Adamski Case

Only months before PC Alan Godfrey's reported UFO encounter, the body of Zigmund Adamski was discovered in a coal yard outside Todmorden. Adamski had disappeared several days earlier. His body showed minimal clothing disturbance, puzzling burns on his neck and shoulders, and a strange, unidentified ointment on the wounds.

Police, including Godfrey, investigated but found no clear answers. The coroner noted death by heart failure, yet raised questions about the burns' cause and the short time Adamski could have survived after receiving them. No conventional explanation has been confirmed.

The overlapping roles of police personnel and puzzling physical evidence, including the ointment, have fueled speculation about non-standard explanations. Rumors and theories still connect the Adamski case with later UFO narratives in the area.

Parallels with Rendlesham Forest Incident

The Rendlesham Forest incident, which occurred in late December 1980 in Suffolk, shared key features with Todmorden. Multiple credible witnesses, including military personnel, reported unidentified lights and strange phenomena over several nights.

Both Todmorden and Rendlesham involved official investigations and affected law enforcement or military figures whose reputations were put at risk. The timing—mere weeks apart—also intensified connections drawn by researchers.

Physical evidence, such as ground markings and instrument anomalies in Rendlesham, echoes the puzzling physical traces linked with Todmorden. These similarities have placed both in the center of UK UFO history, often cited side by side in discussions of high-profile sightings.

Notes on Bob Taylor and Livingston Encounter

Bob Taylor, a forestry worker, reported an alleged encounter in Livingston, Scotland, in November 1979—less than a year before the Todmorden event. Taylor described seeing a strange dome-shaped craft on Dechmont Law and being physically affected, including torn clothes and grazes on his body.

Like Godfrey, Taylor had a reputation as a reliable witness and detailed his encounter to police and the press. Investigators found unusual marks and indentations in the ground at the scene, which have been documented as part of the case record.

The cases share themes of physical evidence, investigator involvement, and a lack of clear conventional explanation. The recurring appearance of bodily effects and scars, such as grazes or burns, helps to illustrate the pattern of reports in the UK during this period.

Investigations and Official Responses

After Alan Godfrey’s reported encounter in Todmorden, multiple entities launched inquiries, each focusing on different aspects of the event. A mix of governmental and independent investigations contributed to official records and public speculation alike.

Role of the Ministry of Defence

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) received details about the Todmorden incident soon after Alan Godfrey filed his report. The MoD routinely analyzed such cases for national security risks, especially in the context of heightened Cold War tensions.

Correspondence records indicate the MoD treated Godfrey’s sighting largely as an airspace anomaly. Staff at RAF Leuchars assisted in reviewing radar data, but no matching aircraft or weather phenomena were found over Todmorden that morning.

Though some in UFO lore speculate about a cover-up, official documents suggest the MoD ultimately closed the case. No threat to defense was found, and, as with many such reports, files were archived with minimal further comment.

Manchester-Based UFO Groups and Jenny Randles

Local and regional UFO organizations took a strong interest in Godfrey’s story. One of the main groups based in Manchester, leveraging grassroots investigators and enthusiasts, began their own independent inquiries.

Jenny Randles, a respected researcher and author, played a key role. She conducted interviews with Godfrey and compiled background on other sightings in West Yorkshire. Randles documented consistencies between Godfrey's account and other reports, emphasizing procedure and objectivity.

These efforts helped preserve eyewitness testimony and brought structure to what could otherwise have become rumor. Randles’s later publications contributed to how the Todmorden case became embedded in British UFO lore, highlighting links to other unexplained events.

Physical Evidence and Expert Testimonials

Claims of physical evidence emerged from the incident, most notably Godfrey’s police notebook. He claimed it showed a gap in recorded time and unusual sketches of the craft. The absence of photographic evidence, such as a UFO photo, limited the scope of analysis.

Nonetheless, expert testimonials were sought from psychologists, handwriting analysts, and even UFO skeptics. They evaluated Godfrey’s health and state of mind before and after the event. Assessments varied: some cited possible stress-induced hallucinations, while others found him credible.

The lack of tangible, verifiable evidence became a focal point of both criticism and intrigue within the investigation. While physical traces remained disputed, the thorough documentation by multiple parties ensured the event’s lasting impact on both official records and popular discussion.

Media Coverage and Public Reception

Alan Godfrey’s encounter with a reported UFO in Todmorden quickly drew attention from newspapers, local residents, and UFO researchers. The case’s details and the witness’s background contributed to ongoing debate about what had actually occurred.

Press Reports and UFO Literature

The incident was first reported in regional and national newspapers, who highlighted both the unusual aspects of Godfrey’s claims and his position as a serving police constable. Several articles noted that Godfrey was on duty when he said he saw the craft, which added a sense of seriousness to the story.

UFO magazines and books picked up the event, often citing it in lists of major British sightings. Speculation about extraterrestrial involvement was common in these sources. Some works discussed the story in the context of broader UFO lore and offered parallels to other alleged abductions.

An element of conspiracy also emerged in some UFO literature. Theories circulated about official cover-ups and questions about why the case was not investigated further. These narratives helped to shape the Todmorden incident into one of the most referenced encounters in UK UFO history.

Community Responses and Skepticism

In Todmorden and the wider region, reactions were mixed. Some members of the public accepted Godfrey’s account, especially given his police background and the seriousness with which he reported the incident. Interest in UFOs surged locally for a time.

However, many people, including some colleagues and experts, expressed skepticism. Critics pointed out inconsistencies and questioned the lack of physical evidence. The possibility of mistaken identity, psychological factors, or misperception was raised frequently in discussions and local media letters.

Over time, the incident became a subject of local folklore. While some continued to believe in a possible extraterrestrial explanation, others saw the case as an example of how extraordinary claims are shaped by media coverage, public interest, and individual interpretation.

Lasting Impact and Influence on UFO Research

The 1980 Todmorden incident involving PC Alan Godfrey became one of the UK’s most discussed alien abduction cases. Its effects extended beyond Godfrey’s personal life, contributing to the broader UFO narratives that were shaped by tension and suspicion during the Cold War.

Effect on Alan Godfrey’s Career and Life

Alan Godfrey’s life changed significantly after his reported UFO encounter in November 1980.

As a serving police officer, Godfrey’s credibility came under intense scrutiny. His account of seeing a diamond-shaped object and claims of possible abduction led to significant media attention and skepticism from colleagues and superiors. The incident marginalized his professional standing, and after several years of controversy, he eventually left the police force.

Despite pressure, Godfrey consistently stood by his story, participating in interviews and documentaries. He later authored a book, further cementing his place in British UFO lore. His willingness to discuss the encounter openly helped frame the case as one of the most credible and detailed British alien abduction claims.

Contribution to Cold War Era UFO Narratives

This incident occurred during a period of heightened public interest in UFOs, partly driven by Cold War anxieties about foreign threats and advanced technology. Reports like Godfrey’s provided fuel for speculation about extraterrestrial life and the possible connection between UFO sightings and military secrecy.

The Ministry of Defence later released documents relating to the Todmorden case, drawing attention from researchers and enthusiasts. The Godfrey case stands out for the involvement of an experienced police officer and the detailed nature of his testimony, which made it a frequent reference in discussions of alleged extraterrestrial encounters from the era.

Godfrey’s story is often included in timelines and studies of alien abduction cases, placing it alongside other Cold War–era reports that shaped public opinion and government responses to alleged UFO sightings. The incident remains a notable example of how personal experience and geopolitical climate shaped the evolution of modern UFO lore.