Ghost Catchers vs. The Law: The Wrexham Ghost Riots 1874

Featured guest: Dr. Mike Benbough-Jackson In September 1874, the town of Wrexham was consumed by a unique wave of hysteria—a ghost hunt that devolved into a full-scale social disturbance. Who were the ghosts? In this episode where paranormal history, British folklore, and true crime coalesce, this week our Featured guest is Dr. Mike Benbough-Jackson unpacks the strange true story of the Wrexham Ghost Riots. What began as a hunt for a mysterious attacker—fueled by a cash bounty—quickly transformed into a mob of 400 ghost catchers patrolling the streets with weapons and dogs. We explore the bizarre entities reported in Victorian newspapers—from giant stilted spectres leaping over walls to dark phantoms lurking along town boundaries—and examine how this unusual episode of Victorian urban legends reflected the deep-seated social anxieties and class tensions of 19th-century Wales(00:00) Introduction to the Wrexham Ghost Riots(01:31) Wrexham’s Victorian context and city status(06:00) The social panic and ghost hunt beginnings(08:00) The assault, Charlie of the Well, and the bounty(11:00) Capture of Wilkinson and mob hysteria(18:00) The long-legged stilted ghost and the black ghost(27:00) Comparisons to Spring-Heeled Jack(32:00) Race, outsiders, and boundary ghosts(41:00) Conclusion and class dynamicshttps://www.ASSAP.ac.uk🔔 Follow for regular webinars and podcasts!Like 👍, comment 💬, and share your own eerie experiences in the comments.🌐 Join & Learn MoreBecome an ASSAP Member: https://www.assap.ac.uk🎙️ Listen on the GoAudio Podcasts: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music and moreVideo: Youtube | Spotify | Rumble | OdyseeSearch "Seriously Strange"📱 Connect With Us X / Twitter: @ASSAParanormalFacebook Group: ASSAP Group Facebook: ASSAP British UFOlogy GroupInstagram and Threads: ASSAP_Paranormal🗣️ Presented by: Kristian Lander📅 Recorded Live