The alleged sighting was made at around 10.30am yesterday morning (Tuesday, December 9), as a woman and her mother were looking out of their city home’s window.

The pair, who wish to remain anonymous, said that their abode looks out onto Castle Mill Stream in Oxford, and it was in the River Thames backwater that they believe they saw a crocodile.

“My mum and I spotted what appeared to be a small alligator or crocodile swimming with the current,” she said.

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The eyewitnesses added that the would-be creature may have been an alligator (stock photo). (Image: Pexels)

“We saw it from our living room which overlooks a part of the stream that borders our garden.

“Its snout, which was on the smaller size, was visible above the water, and it was drifting along with the unusual current, likely caused by the rain at the time.

“We are fairly certain it looked like an alligator snout out of water,  though it had disappeared downstream by the time we grabbed a phone to take a photo.

“There’s a chance it could have been something else, but we had a clear view, and we were shocked, given that they don’t have a natural habitat in the UK, so it’s bizarre to see them in the wild.

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Castle Mill Stream in Oxford. (Image: Google Maps)

“We did a bit of Googling and realised that there’s a crocodile zoo at Brize Norton, not too far away. Perhaps one of their residents broke free?”

The couple were not able to supply a photo to back up their claim when asked by this newspaper.

The crocodile zoo that the pair mentioned is Crocodiles of the World on Burford Road in west Oxfordshire.

Zoo founder Shaun Foggett said: “Whilst we might be having a mild winter, UK temperatures are simply far too low for a crocodile to survive in a UK stream.

“Crocodiles and alligators are found throughout the sub-tropical and tropical regions of the world.

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“They need warm temperatures to regulate their body heat, which is why our crocodiles here at the zoo enjoy temperatures of at least 30°C all year round.

“Without this level of heat, crocodiles are unable to digest food, suffer organ failure, and eventually die.

“If people want to see crocodiles and alligators, whilst also keeping warm this winter, come to the UK’s only crocodile zoo.”

Thames Valley Police, Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford City Council and the RSPCA have all been approached for comment.