'Potentially dangerous' scorpion gives passengers at Victoria station a fright

Passengers at Victoria station received a fright after a potentially dangerous scorpion was discovered.

A man screamed after the creature was found clinging to his bag on April 6.

London Underground staff managed to capture the animal by placing it in a plastic lunchbox before placing it on a shelf in the station manager's office.

Specialist wildlife crime officers from the British Transport Police arrived at the station to help deal with the unusual incident.

London Zoo identified the scorpion as a Centruroides, which is a potentially dangerous species from the Caribbean.

The passenger told staff that he had been sat in the park all day and had not been abroad recently.

Police said the swift action of Tube staff meant no passengers were at risk.

PC Mike Charnick, who dealt with the incident, said: “There is a surprisingly wide range of wildlife on and around the railway network but this is the first time I’ve come across a scorpion. Station staff did a great job containing the animal and keeping it safe until we arrived."

Dave Clarke, Bugs team leader at ZSL London Zoo, said it was "bizarre" that the scorpion was discovered in Victoria Station, adding: "We have been keeping the arachnid safely and securely whilst establishing an exact identification of the creature.

"The scorpion really is a beautiful animal and it’s a shame that it has been exposed to such a stressful situation.”

PC Charnick said it was the police's job to make the railways safe for the travelling public, and that includes "possible dangers posed by animals.”