Don't laugh off psychics, UK police told

No scientific study has ever found evidence for psychic powers (file)
No scientific study has ever found evidence for psychic powers (file)

UK police could soon be considering tipoffs from so-called psychics, witches and clairvoyants to help them solve cases.

New guidelines from the College of Policing recommend officers take information from mediums seriously when trying to trace missing people.

British psychic Joe Power says he's helped police in the past.

"I know that my information has been acted on several times. I can go back to cases going back years ago, I know how powerful the information can be."

However, police added information gleaned from clairvoyants should not distract from the facts.

"Any information received from psychics should be evaluated in the context of the case, and should never become a distraction to the overall investigation and search strategy, unless it can be verified," the guidelines read.

"These contacts usually come from well-intentioned people, but the motive of the individual should always be ascertained, especially where financial gain is included."

No scientific study has ever found evidence for psychic powers. A US$1 million reward for proof of supernatural or paranormal abilities, which has been on offer since the 1960s by magician James Randi, has never been claimed.

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