Cambridgeshire Police stop traffic to rescue escaped tortoise

An escapee tortoise led officers on "the world's slowest police foot-chase" after it was spotted wandering across a busy road.

Tom had been missing from his home in Wistow, Cambridgeshire, for three weeks when an eagle-eyed patrolling police officer saw him trying to cross the B1040.

PC Charlie Brett stopped the traffic near Ramsey and popped him in the footwell of her car.

After speaking with nearby residents, she was able to track down his owner, who was delighted to have wayward Tom back home.

Tom toddled off across fields near his home after climbing over a rockery and underneath some chicken wire, owner Jo Sheppard said.

She posted about his escape on social media and walked miles with her dog looking for the seven-year-old tortoise.

Tom's adventures took him about five miles away before he was scooped up by the officer.

PC Brett said: "My colleagues regularly take the mick out of me and my obsession and hypervigilance with animals (and always rescuing them), so it came as no surprise that I managed to rescue this little guy.

"I spotted something moving in the opposite carriageway, and after a few takes, I saw a tortoise trying to cross.

"In sheer panic that he would get crushed, I blocked the road, ran and grabbed him, and put him in the front footwell riding shotgun. The driver behind me was laughing."

Tom's owner said she was relieved to have her pet back, and added: "I think he was trying to cross the road to get back home to us."

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