News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

When a Connecticut police officer found his wing mirror on the floor next to his car, it was initially thought to be a case of vandalism.

But closer inspection of CCTV footage showed the culprit was altogether spookier. The video shows a mysterious whirlwind sweeping through the police station car park, breaking the mirror off and sweeping it away around the parking lot.

Then, just as suddenly as it first appeared, the ghostly vortex drops the mirror where its owner found it - right underneath the car's window.

Some officers working at the station, in Hertford, Connecticut, came away from the video convinced the station's parking lot was haunted.

But the scary footage was taken to the local NBC TV station and showed it to weatherman Brad Field, who thought a phenomenon known as a 'dust devil' was the most likely cause.

Dust devils are tiny tornadoes which tend to form over asphalt surfaces.

Lt. Brian Foley of Hertford Police Department said: "To be able to rip a mirror off a car, throw it around and then put it right back below where it was ripped off is interesting to say the least."