Teenage exorcists who say Harry Potter has corrupted the world head to Britain armed with Bibles and Holy Water to tackle hotbed of occult activity



They're stunning American teens with black belts in karate, and spend their weekends battling demons.

No, it's not the plot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer - this wholesome trio are actually professional exorcists, and have come to London with a suitcase full of Bibles and Holy Water, intent on banishing the Capital's dark forces.

Brynne Larson, 18, and sisters Tess and Savannah Scherkenback, aged 18 and 21, are determined to rescue London's youngsters from evil spirits, which they say they are inviting to possess them by reciting the spells in the Harry Potter books.

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Fighting evil: Tess Scherkenback (left) Brynne Larson, and Savannah Scherkenback (right) want to free Britain from demons and evil spirits which they say have a grip on young people

The threesome, from Arizona, believe the spells in J.K. Rowling's best-selling fantasy series are real, and dangerous.



In fact, they see Britain as a hotbed of occult activity whose origins go back to pagan times.

Savannah explains: 'It has been centuries in the making, but I believe it came to a pinnacle with the Harry Potter books.'

'The spells you are reading about are not made up,' adds Tess. 'They are real and come from witchcraft.'



Inspired by their religious faith, the young women believe loose morals are a prime cause of demonic possession, and that promiscuity can transmit 'sexually transmitted demons' in the same way as physical infections.

British filmmaker Dan Murdoch has spent six months getting to know the trio for an upcoming documentary, Teen Exorcists, which will be shown on BBC3.



Truth or fiction? The Reverend Bob Larson says he has cast out over 15,000 demons

While filming, he joined them at work in the Ukraine, and afterwards in London where he captured an exorcism meeting on camera.

Guided by their trainer, Brynne's father the Reverend Bob Larson, the women are seen apparently banishing a demon from Beth Wragg, a former Anglican chaplain, in London's East End.



Though Bob says he is guided by God and has cast out more than 15,000 demons, sceptics claim he is preying on the vulnerable in a bid to sell his books, DVDs and 'crosses of deliverance' - a tool of the trade.

There's also the question of donations. While attendance at the exorcism meetings is free, the cleric requests a £200 contribution for private sessions.

Reverend Bob compares his work to medical treatment, and told the Sunday Express : 'People pay thousands to go to drug rehab or for a psychiatrist but there is this idea that spirituality should be free. It is not uncommon for a pastor in America to make up to a million dollars a year. I can assure you we are nowhere near that.'

Though she believes her role as an exorcist is a divine calling, Bob's daughter Brynne has decided to return to the States to study for a degree at Liberty University in Virginia. Ultimately, she hopes to work in international business.



Discussing his documentary, Dan Murdoch admits he has doubts about the team's demon-smiting mission.



'I don't believe in exorcisms after doing the documentary but I do believe in the power of belief after what I've seen,' he says.