Police stop hunt for 9 foot python on the loose in Cambridge

Police say they are no longer looking for a 9 foot python on the loose in Cambridge as they have other police work to do.

Officers were called out in the early hours of Saturday morning after reports that a potentially deadly nine foot long snake had been spotted on the loose. The reticulated python was seen in the Lovells Road area and police managed to track down the owner but could not find the snake.

It is still on the loose this morning, but a police spokesperson said they were "no longer actively looking for the python."

He added: "We are not currently hunting for it and our incident has been closed because we have got other policing work to do. We are not in touch with the owner at the moment."

The police will not be putting out a safety alert for people or pets. The spokesman said: "I'm saying there is no danger to humans. We are no longer actively looking for the python as it can only be a risk to small creatures.

"We are not telling people to keep their cats and dogs inside. It can eat small creatures but it is up to individuals what they do with their own particular pets. We won't be offering that information. It is only a risk to small creatures. It is up to local people whether they keep their pets in."

The force tweeted today: "We have had no further sightings of a reticulated python reported in #Cambridge. The RSPCA has been informed."

They asked anyone who spots the python to call the police on 101.

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