This is the hair-raising moment shocked police officers encountered a massive boa constrictor in the middle of a busy city-centre road.
Officers had been driving along on patrol when they spotted the large snake slithering across the street on Park Lane, Birmingham, on Saturday afternoon.
Photos show how at least three officers bravely ushered the reptile into a pillow case with the help of a broom at the side of the road. The constrictor, which can grow up to 10ft (3m) in length, was taken to a local reptile shop where it was checked over and found to be uninjured.
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "We often have to deal with the odd slippery customer, but officers got an off-the-scale shock when they encountered a boa constrictor in the middle of a busy Birmingham road.
"Officers from our operational support unit were driving down Park Lane yesterday afternoon when they spotted the large snake moving across the road.
"But they soon had the situation in the bag as they gently manoeuvred the creature into a pillowcase before taking it for checks at a local reptile centre.
"Staff at Birmingham Reptiles confirmed that the common boa constrictor had come to no harm and they'll be looking after it until its owner claims it or it's rehomed."
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Boa constrictors are large, non-venomous snakes that are often kept and bred in captivity. On Facebook, users praised the officers for ensuring the care of the reptile.
Jayne Lizzie wrote: "Just a little one. Thank you to the officers for ensuring it is safe from harm and back into care."
Becky Page commented: "We’ll done for helping the animal and not hurting it."
Suzanne Boyes added: "Gorgeous snake, thank you officers for not harming it."
