On June 20, 1987, a remarkable event occurred at one of Britain's most famous landmarks. During the summer solstice at Stonehenge, approximately twelve to fifteen police officers witnessed an unidentified flying object performing maneuvers that defied conventional explanation. The officers, who were deployed around the monument to maintain security overnight, observed a bright star-like object making perfect 90-degree turns across the clear night sky for approximately 15-20 minutes.

The incident, which remained unreported to senior officers at the time, came to light in 2007 when Police Constable Phil Hutchings contacted retired officer Gary Haseltine, curator of a UFO database. After four months of investigation, including corroboration from another officer present that night, Haseltine concluded the sighting likely represented a genuine UFO encounter. The object maintained constant speed throughout its zigzagging path, made no sound, and demonstrated precision movements suggesting intelligent control.

Key Takeaways

Multiple police officers stationed at Stonehenge during the 1987 summer solstice simultaneously observed an unidentified object making precise 90-degree turns across the night sky.
The bright star-like object maintained constant speed while executing impossible maneuvers for approximately 15-20 minutes without making any sound.
The case remained unreported until 2007, when it was investigated and documented with corroborating testimony from multiple law enforcement witnesses.

Historical Background of the UFO Encounter

Officer Hutchings' Law Enforcement Career and Stonehenge Duty

Phil Hutchings began his career in law enforcement in January 1980. By the time of the incident in 1987, he was a Police Constable with several years of experience. On June 20, 1987, he was assigned to security duty at Stonehenge along with 12-15 fellow officers. Their assignment involved protecting the ancient monument during the summer solstice celebrations, when the site traditionally attracts visitors eager to witness the sunrise. The officers were strategically positioned around the monument, with police vehicles parked nearby for support.

The security detail was comprehensive, with officers deployed at regular intervals surrounding the stone circle. During their overnight watch, the sky conditions were ideal—clear, dry, and star-filled—providing excellent visibility for astronomical observation. According to Hutchings, no civilians were in the immediate vicinity of the monument when the unusual aerial phenomenon occurred.

Stonehenge's Cultural Importance and Solstice Celebrations

Stonehenge stands as one of Britain's most renowned prehistoric monuments, drawing visitors and spiritual pilgrims from around the world. The ancient stone circle holds particular significance during the summer solstice, which typically falls on June 20-21 each year. This astronomical event marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

The monument's precise alignment with the summer solstice sunrise has made it a center for both archaeological interest and modern spiritual practices. During this period, many people make special journeys to Stonehenge to observe sunrise ceremonies. The cultural and historical importance of the site necessitates increased security measures during solstice events, which explains the significant police presence on the night of the sighting.

The officers' unusual aerial sighting occurred in the early hours of Midsummer's Day (June 21), following their night-long vigil at this historically significant location. The timing and location of the incident—at a monument known for its astronomical alignments—adds an interesting contextual layer to the officers' observations of unusual activity in the night sky.

The Unexplained Aerial Phenomenon at Stonehenge

Officer Hutchings' First Sighting

On June 20, 1987, Police Constable Phil Hutchings witnessed something extraordinary while on duty at Stonehenge. He was part of a security detail of 12-15 officers stationed around the ancient monument during the summer solstice celebrations. The officers were responsible for maintaining order as visitors gathered to observe the sunrise at the historic site.

Movement Patterns of the Unidentified Object

What initially appeared to be another satellite moving across the clear night sky quickly revealed itself to be something far more unusual. The object suddenly executed a perfect 90-degree turn, maintaining its constant speed without any acceleration or deceleration. For approximately 15-20 minutes, the bright star-like object continued this pattern of precise 90-degree turns in what Hutchings described as a "mapping type of maneuver." The object moved silently through the sky, zigzagging in ways that defied conventional aircraft capabilities.

Multiple Police Officers as Witnesses

After noticing the object's unusual behavior, Hutchings alerted his colleagues to the phenomenon. All officers present—between 12 and 15 in total—observed the object as it performed its extraordinary maneuvers. The witnesses were positioned at regular intervals around the Stonehenge monument, with police vans parked nearby. According to Hutchings, no members of the public were in the vicinity of the monument during the sighting. Twenty years later, at least one other officer confirmed the account when contacted by UFO researcher Gary Haseltine.

Environmental Conditions During the Event

The sighting occurred under optimal observation conditions. Hutchings reported that the night was dry with a clear, star-filled sky. There were no clouds present, no sound emanating from the object, and no lighting interference that might have affected visibility. The officers observed the phenomenon with the naked eye, requiring no special equipment to track its movements. The perfect viewing conditions and multiple reliable witnesses lend credibility to this remarkable account that remained unreported to senior officers at the time.

Aftermath and Investigation

The incident at Stonehenge during the summer solstice of 1987 remained undocumented for nearly two decades before coming to light. The subsequent investigation revealed compelling testimony from multiple police officers who observed an unusual aerial phenomenon performing maneuvers that defied conventional explanation.

No Official Documentation

The UFO sighting witnessed by approximately twelve to fifteen police officers at Stonehenge on June 20, 1987, was never formally reported to higher authorities. Police Constable Phil Hutchings, who first observed the object, noted that despite the significant number of witnesses—all trained observers in law enforcement—the incident remained officially undocumented. The officers, stationed around the ancient monument to maintain security during the summer solstice, collectively observed the phenomenon but chose not to file reports through official channels. This decision, while limiting contemporary documentation, did not prevent witnesses from later sharing their experiences.

Former Officer's Investigation and Findings

In February 2007, Gary Haseltine, a retired police officer and curator of the PRUFOS database, received communication from Hutchings about the two-decade-old sighting. Haseltine conducted a thorough four-month investigation into the incident. During his research, he:

Interviewed the primary witness, Hutchings
Located and spoke with a second officer present that night who corroborated the account
Documented detailed aspects of the sighting

The investigation revealed consistent witness testimony describing an object that:

Made perfect 90-degree turns
Maintained constant speed without acceleration or deceleration
Performed what appeared to be systematic mapping maneuvers
Remained visible for 15-20 minutes
Appeared as a bright, star-like object
Produced no sound

Haseltine ultimately concluded the officers had observed "a genuine UFO" based on the object's displayed flight characteristics, which he determined were beyond terrestrial technology's capabilities.

Published Analysis in Specialist Publication

In May 2007, Haseltine published his findings in UFO Monthly magazine, providing a comprehensive account of the Stonehenge incident. His article included specific details about the sighting conditions:

Environmental Factors:

Clear, dry night sky
Star-filled visibility
No cloud cover
No lighting interference

Witness Positioning:

Officers deployed at regular intervals around the monument
Police vehicles parked nearby
No civilians present in the immediate vicinity during the observation

The article also noted that while both officers confirmed witnessing something unusual, the corroborating officer's recollection lacked the detail of Hutchings' account, likely due to the significant time elapsed since the event. Haseltine's published analysis emphasized the precision and apparent intelligence behind the object's movements, particularly highlighting the 90-degree turns executed without any change in velocity—behavior inconsistent with known atmospheric phenomena or conventional aircraft.

Mysterious Squirrel Encounter Report

Hunting Trip Incident

Dee Dee was fifteen years old when his father took him on his first hunting trip. Finding a comfortable spot on a fallen tree log positioned on a steep hillside, he spent about 45 minutes hunting. During this time, he successfully shot approximately eight squirrels. He recalled feeling particularly remorseful about one squirrel that he only wounded, which was making distressing sounds of pain.

The Abnormal Squirrel Confrontation

What happened next defied ordinary wildlife behavior. A remarkably large squirrel—described as twice the normal size with unusual fur—suddenly charged directly at Dee Dee along the log where he sat. Despite firing five panicked shots at the approaching creature, the squirrel appeared completely unaffected. The unusually large rodent simply leaped over Dee Dee's head and disappeared into the woods. Understandably shaken, Dee Dee quickly collected his kills and retreated to camp, where he told his father about the incident.

Later Supernatural Occurrence

A few weeks following the hunting incident, Dee Dee experienced something even more disturbing. While attempting to sleep on the floor of his downstairs bedroom, he was lying near his doorless closet space under the stairs. Just as he was drifting off to sleep, something firmly grabbed his right forearm.

The entity had distinctive features: a large wrinkled head with a pointed nose, standing approximately three feet tall and wearing clothing. Despite Dee Dee's desperate attempts to free himself—including punching at the entity—it maintained its grip. When he finally managed to turn on the closet light after a struggle, the creature vanished instantly.

Entity Classification and Possible Explanations

Dee Dee believes the creature was a "forest wraith" or "squirrel shape-shifter" protecting its territory. His theory suggests the entity followed him home to frighten him as retribution for injuring the squirrel during his hunting expedition.

Alternative explanations include:

Sleep paralysis combined with hypnagogic hallucinations
Psychological manifestation of guilt over injuring the squirrel
Stress-induced nightmare

Some researchers propose that forests are protected by guardian entities that can take various forms, including cryptids and shadowy beings. Though attempts to contact Dee Dee for further information have been unsuccessful, his account adds to the collection of unusual forest encounter reports that challenge conventional understanding of wildlife behavior.

Assessing Truth and Alternative Views

Conviction versus Scientific Explanations

Dee Dee maintains complete certainty about his encounter with the oversized squirrel and subsequent home invasion by what he believes was a forest guardian. According to his account, he was physically grabbed by a three-foot-tall wrinkled entity with a pointed nose and large head that disappeared when he turned on the light. The physical sensation of being grabbed and his clear recollection of the creature's features reinforce his belief in the reality of the experience.

However, several alternative explanations exist for this encounter. Sleep researchers might attribute this experience to:

Sleep paralysis: A phenomenon occurring between wakefulness and sleep
Hypnagogic hallucinations: Vivid sensory experiences that occur when falling asleep
Psychological factors: Guilt from injuring the squirrel potentially manifesting as a stress response

The timing of the encounter—as Dee Dee was falling asleep—aligns with when these sleep-related phenomena typically occur. His earlier traumatic hunting experience could have created the psychological conditions for such a vivid hallucination.

Forest Protectors in Folk Traditions

Many cultures worldwide maintain traditions about guardian spirits that protect natural spaces. These beliefs include:

Culture Forest Guardian Type Typical Behaviors Native American Nature spirits Protect animals, punish disrespectful hunters European Forest entities (elves, sprites) Mislead travelers, defend territories Asian Mountain/forest deities Enforce respect for nature, cause misfortune

The concept of "shape-shifting squirrels" or forest wraiths as Dee Dee describes them fits within this broader cultural context of nature-protecting entities. These traditions often feature guardians who can transform between animal and humanoid forms to interact with humans who have violated natural boundaries.

Some paranormal investigators suggest these entities serve as enforcers of ethical treatment of wildlife. In this interpretation, Dee Dee's wounding of the squirrel that "screamed in pain" potentially triggered a response from such a guardian, following him home to deliver retribution.

Modern ecological perspectives might view these traditions as cultural mechanisms that encouraged sustainable hunting practices and respect for wildlife before formal conservation laws existed.

Stonehenge UFO: Police Officers Witness Unexplained Aerial Phenomenon During 1987 Summer Solstice