Snakes on the loose as man charged over Nottinghamshire pet shop theft

Police have issued a message to the public

A pair of snakes are missing from a pet shop in Nottinghamshire despite a man being arrested over their theft. Police were called to the Mansfield Aquatic Reptile and Pet Centre at around 2.40pm on Thursday, October 3, over reports a man walked into the store and put two snakes in his pocket.

The reptiles – a grey Florida kingsnake and a brown herald snake – were taken from the store without any payment being made, Nottinghamshire Police said. Matthew Clay, 55, has since been charged with theft in connection with the investigation.

However the animals, which police say pose no threat to members of the public or pets, have not been returned. “While neither snake has been returned to the store yet, inquiries are ongoing to locate them and we’re confident this will happen soon," said sergeant Karam Kaur.

“We’d also like to reassure the public that neither snake poses any threat to members of the public or domestic animals.” Clay, of Stone Cross Court, Mansfield, has been bailed with conditions ahead of an appearance at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court on October 22.

Mansfield Aquatic Reptile And Pet Centre, in Nursery Street, declined to comment, however it posted on its Facebook page on Thursday afternoon: "Police have arrested the thief. Thank you all. Still no snakes back yet."

It later added: "What an amazing community we have. The support and help has been overwhelming." A dwarf Burmese python was stolen from the same shop in September last year when thieves broke into its enclosure.

Florida kingsnakes are native to Florida and can grow up to 5ft long, while herald snakes can be found in Sub-Saharan Africa and can become up to one meter in length. The former is non-venomous and the latter is only mildly venomous.