Boa constrictor snake found hiding in car engine

A boa constrictor was spotted hiding under a car in Nottingham and police were called to investigate.

Officers attended an address in Sherwood on Friday after a concerned resident saw the four foot long (1.2m) snake slithering down a driveway.

Response officers opened the bonnet in their search for the reptile and immediately found it hiding in the vehicle's engine bay.

The force said PC Dan Howard and Sgt Joanna Stanbridge "fashioned a makeshift snake hook by taping a wire coat hanger to the end of a police baton" and coaxed the snake out.

Police said the boa constrictor was safely encouraged into a stab vest bag and taken to a local veterinary practice, while efforts were made to locate its owner.

Ch Insp Paul Hennessy said: "This incident showcased perfectly the variety of different situations our officers can find themselves in when they start a shift.

"While I doubt any of them will have had snake wrangler listed among their skill set before, the officers did a great job thinking on their feet in the manner they did."

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