Enfield Poltergeist

Record	OBS-0481
Category	Unexplained/Cryptids
Status	DEBUNKED
Summary	The Enfield Poltergeist refers to alleged paranormal activity at a council house in Enfield, London, between 1977 and 1979, centered on two sisters, Janet and Margaret Hodgson. Claims included furniture moving, objects being thrown, levitation, and disembodied voices. The case attracted media attention and was investigated by paranormal researchers and skeptics.
Origin	The claims began in August 1977 when the Hodgson family reported strange knocking and moving furniture at 284 Green Street, Enfield, London, and continued for about 18 months.
Claimed	Furniture moved of its own accord, including a chair wobbling and sliding in the presence of a police officer. Objects were thrown across rooms, and the children appeared to levitate. Disembodied voices, including a gruff voice, were heard and recorded. The activity was genuine paranormal phenomena, as believed by some SPR investigators. The events were caused by an 'entity' or poltergeist.
Evidence / consensus	Skeptical investigators, including members of CSICOP, found evidence that the girls faked incidents, and the case is widely considered a hoax. The girls later admitted to faking some events, and no credible evidence of supernatural activity exists.

> OBSERVER NOTE:
Case file 77-ENF. Witness testimony is inconsistent; the primary subjects admitted to fabrication. No physical evidence survives scrutiny. File closed as hoax.

Sources

Sources are external and provided for verification. Listing does not imply the Observer endorses their claims.