38 pythons are stolen from flat

BURGLARS have stolen a collection of 38 pythons after breaking into a flat.

They escaped with their haul, including eight pregnant females and 11 young snakes, in two sacks.

Police have reassured the public that the reptiles are royal pythons, which are nonvenomous, and unlikely to be a threat.

Officers in Merseyside said that the African snakes need specialist care and can grow to around 5ft in length.

The thieves were seen leaving the flat in St Helens with the sacks before driving off. Detectives believe they will offer the reptiles to specialists locally or online.

DC Neil Henry said: ‘This is a large collection that the victim had been gathering for a while. Clearly, there is a specialised market for such snakes.

‘We appeal to anyone involved in buying and selling snakes to look out for any royal pythons and consider if they may have come from this address. These snakes need specialist care and we are appealing for any help the public can give.’