Professional thieves smashed their way into a Rugby reptile shop and stole 70 snakes.

The gang got into the property in Hillmorton Road before smashing vivariums and taking 40 royal pythons and 30 boa-constrictors.

They damaged cameras and unplugged the CCTV recording system before stealing the snakes, believed to be worth thousands of pounds.

The gang ignored less valuable reptiles to steal the prized hatchlings and a couple of snakes kept for breeding purposes.

Steve Mussard, who works in Rugby Reptiles, said the theft was a real blow, but praised customers and fellow pet shops who have helped out by providing some surplus snakes.

He said: “The police have said this is a professional hit.

“They have been stolen to order - they knew what they were getting was valuable.

“They have left the corn snakes and the really big snakes and lizards that couldn’t be carried anyway.

“They’ve stolen hatchlings apart from a few breeding royal pythons and they’re only three feet long anyway.”

The snakes are not venomous or deadly and shop staff are urging anyone who sees any of the hatchlings to contact them so they can be properly looked after.

“The damage to the vivariums was mainly glass being smashed,” Steve said.

“It’s replaceable but it’s costly.

“The response has been fantastic though both from our customers and from other shops.”

Incredibly the shop was open as normal today but with a reduced stock.

Because so many of the snakes were bred by the owner of Rugby Reptiles insurers are unlikely to cover the full cost of the break-in though.

It could take a year to breed replacement stock.

Police have launched an investigation into the break in and scenes of crime officers have inspected the shop.

Officers are appealing for anyone with information about the break in to get in touch.

Similarly if you are offered a snake for sale contact officers.

Call 101 or 0800 555111 if you don’t wish to speak directly to a police officer.