Police were called to reports that a crocodile had been spotted in floodwater near a small village in Buckinghamshire.
Thames Valley Police officers were alerted by a member of the public on Thursday after what appeared to be a crocodile was seen in a large roadside puddle near Cholesbury, five miles from Berkhamsted.
However, after arriving at the scene, officers discovered that it was actually the plastic head of a toy floating in the partially flooded road.
Photographs taken by police showed the plastic head peeking out of the water, while in another an officer was seen grappling with the “crocodile” head.
In a post on Facebook, Thames Valley Police South Buckinghamshire said: “Crickey! It’s not every day that you get sent to reports of a crocodile in flood water near Cholesbury. Do not be alarmed – the croc is now with us at the police station.
“Did you know that it is not that difficult to tell alligators and crocodiles apart? One will see you later whereas the other will see you in a while.”
Officers from neighbouring Fareham Police added: “Our Thames Valley Police colleagues are, just like us, dedicated to keeping their communities safe (even from fake crocodiles)”.
It is not the first time a toy has prompted concerns about a crocodile being on the loose in England. Last July, police in Ipswich responded to a similar report of a baby crocodile lurking in a woodland stream.
Officers arrived in Foxhall, Suffolk with specialist gear, including an alligator catch pole – only to discover it was an 18in (45cm) plastic toy.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Ipswich Police said: “Officers made a snappy arrival expecting some crocodile wrestling… but it turned out to be a false alarm this time (phew!).”
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