NATIONAL newspapers were facing calls to apologise this week after spreading panic and fear over a colony of “deadly” baby-eating snakes supposedly “on the loose” in Camden Town.

The New Journal story published on Thursday about the Aesculapian snakes was featured in the Mail, Sun, Mirror, Daily Star and on the Independent's website.

Reports varied on how dangerous the snakes were with claims published that the reptiles could crush babies, swallow kittens whole and were repeatedly “terrorising” and climbing into people's homes.

In fact, the colony – known as the Camden Creatures – are non-venomous, with a less powerful bite than a hamster. Around 30 of the six-footers have been living in the Regent's Canal for around 30 years and there have been no reported attacks.

The London Invasive Species Initiative (LISI), which says the snakes are “illegal” and has classified them as “of high concern”, issued a clarification this week.

Its statement they said: “There have been some interesting headlines over the weekend regarding Aesculapian snakes in London, such as the Daily Mirror’s ‘Colony of killer snakes ‘capable of crushing small children to death’ on loose in London’. When left alone Aesculapian snakes are a docile and non-venomous species. Please rest assured that your children will not risk being crushed by snakes whilst wandering through central London.”