Company filming movie about crocodile scare in Bristol '100% sure' sighting of 6ft-long beast is unconnected to film

This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

The makers of a new horror film about crocodiles terrorising the Somerset Levels have denied that animals used in the film were connected to a crocodile scare in central Bristol.

The chief constable of Avon and Somerset police, Nick Gargan, sparked alarm on Monday by tweeting that a 6ft-long crocodile had been spotted under a bridge in Bristol.

"One of our officers was flagged down by a bus driver today, claiming to have seen a 6ft crocodile under Coronation Bridge. We can't find it," he said.

The apparent sighting resembled a possible plot line from The Hatching – a new black comedy set in the nearby Somerset Levels that involves two crocodiles pursuing locals in an idyllic English village. It was filmed in November and December in West Pennard, which is about an hour's drive from Bristol.

The film's production team have been contacted by members of the public concerned that crocodiles may have escaped during the filming.

Tom Evans, social media marketing consultant for Hatching Films, said the company was "100% sure" the Bristol sighting was unconnected with the film. He said: "The producers have asked me to get a message out to say, 'We were safe with our filming and had precautions in place.'"

Evans conceded that the Bristol sighting was a "marketing gift" for film, but added: "We want to make sure it is the right kind of gift."

A statement from the film's animal trainer, Aria Das Neves, said: "We have no reason to believe any of the animals used in The Hatching did not make it back home safely. While we can confirm we did film with live crocodiles I have contacted the relevant holding zoos and they confirm that all our crocodiles are accounted for."

The film, which is directed by Michael Anderson, who worked on An American Werewolf in London, tells the story of schoolboys breaking into a zoo and stealing crocodile eggs. The crocodiles that hatch from the eggs escape and terrorise local residents.

Avon and Somerset police have since played down the original sighting.

When asked by one Twitter user whether there was a crocodile on the loose, Gargan replied: "It may mean precisely that, madam. No need to stay indoors – but you may want to think twice before you go water-skiing."

The alarm sparked a parody Twitter account @TheBristolCroc which attracted more than 1000 followers within a day of being set up.