Police are aware of a “highly venomous” snake which is allegedly on the loose in Oxford.

A warning was made to citizens in the form of a poster which was spotted attached to a lamppost near Barefoot Cafe in Walton Street on Friday.

The poster featured a photograph of a cobra and said: “Attention! Missing snake.

“Highly venomous, do not approach! Please call on 01865236780.

“Do not call the police or they will take her away from me.”

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The poster in Oxford.The poster in Oxford. (Image: Public submission)

The Oxford Mail attempted to call this number multiple times but there was no answer with an automated message saying the number had not been recognised.

Thames Valley Police has now confirmed it is aware of the poster but no investigation is taking place.

A spokesperson for the force said: “This poster has been reported to us so we are aware but no investigation is ongoing and no actual sightings of the snake have been reported to us.”

A local Facebook group had previously reported spotting the snake on one of Oxford’s pavements at night causing others to believe it was real.

READ MORE: Everything we know as ‘highly venomous snake on the loose’ in Oxford

“One of our neighbours has tried the phone number and says it's disconnected. Is it all a hoax?” said an anonymous Hayfield Road resident.

“Or is it a horror story waiting to happen when a dog walker comes face-to-face on the towpath with this deadly predator?”

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