Overview
- Derbyshire Rural Crime Team launched what it called its strangest appeal after a supposed crocodile was reported on the Trent and Mersey Canal near Mercia Marina in Willington.
- An angler reportedly reeled in the roughly three-foot specimen and left it on the towpath between bridges 22 and 22a before a passer-by photographed it and alerted authorities.
- The report was passed to the Canal and River Trust, but the item was gone when staff attended the scene.
- A member of the public later told police the item was a taxidermy crocodile filled with hay, and officers confirmed the case was solved and the appeal withdrawn.
- The episode prompted commentary about exotic-pet licensing and reminded readers that crocodiles are not native to the UK.