ALMOST 400 sightings of
Aliens and
UFOs have been reported to UK police forces in the past three years, according to shock figures seen by Express.co.uk.
Officers across the country received 146 calls about apparent extra-terrestrial activity by concerned residents in 2015.
A further 124 such calls were made to police forces in 2016, with the number of reported alien and UFO sightings falling to 112 last year.
The total number of calls received by officers over the three-year period was 382.
But the true figure is likely to be much higher, as 16 of the UK's 46 police forces did not respond to Express.co.uk's Freedom of Information requests.
Dr Neil Dagnall, a parapsychological researcher at Manchester Metropolitan University, said people's belief in aliens is linked to the "desire to explicate the unexplained".
He said: "Aliens are a cultural archetype – they are part of our social consciousness and have a folklore which provides a vehicle for the unusual.
"They also provide a narrative in which to understand and resolve technological developments and uncertainties.
"These include notions linked to the idea that aliens protect the Earth and have prevented wars.
"Within this story-line, these and similar matters have coherence and meaning."
Avon and Somerset Police received more calls about alien and UFO activity than any other force, with officers receiving 124 such reports between 2015 and 2017.
West Yorkshire Police recorded the second-highest volume of alien-related calls, with 34 reports over the past three years.
And North Wales Police said it was called out to 30 incidents over the same time period.