Scorpion find in Harrogate street sparks police appeal
- Published
It is thought the scorpion is native to North Africa or the Middle East
A two-inch long scorpion has been found on a street in Harrogate, prompting a police appeal to trace its origin.
The animal, which is not normally seen in British pet shops, was found in the Mayfield Grove area earlier this month.
North Yorkshire police said they believed the arachnid, which was dead when it was found, was native to North Africa or the Middle East.
The force is now appealing for help to establish how it came to be on a street in the north of England.
Wildlife officer Pc Gareth Jones said: "Although I haven't managed to identify the exact species of scorpion yet, I do know that it is not one commonly traded in pet shops across the country.
"It may well have been a stowaway in a consignment of fruit or hitched a lift with someone who may have inadvertently brought it back following a foreign trip."
Anyone who saw the scorpion before 2 September is asked to contact Harrogate police station.