When we attended the scene I did not see the creature from the front myself, only it’s tail as it ran towards the shopping centre. This was lucky as basilisk eyes can kill instantly. We managed to speak to a local resident called Jack Bobson, who had been visiting the Sea Life Centre, as he was desperate to see the otters, and he reported to us “ I was just looking at the penguins about to move towards my favourite otter enclosure when I saw it! It looked like a chicken with a lizard’s tail and it came straight at me. I was so relieved there was glass between us and I saw it pick up the penguin. I was lucky I was wearing sunglasses and there was glass between us as I think that is what saved me.” It certainly sounds like Jack Boson had a ‘clucky’ escape.

The police are working hard to capture the dangerous creature. Until then it is recommended by the Prime Minister that all inhabitants of Birmingham should stay at home behind locked doors and make sure anyone with penguins as pets are to bring them indoors for safe keeping. I will bring you more reports when I have them. For now, sit tight and pray.