A TWENTY-YEAR-OLD was attacked as she tried to stop two thieves from stealing 10 snakes from a pet shop on Lovely Lane.

The shop worker is now recovering from a sprained wrist and bruising across her back after she was pushed to the ground during the robbery at Warrington Pets & Exotics on January 11.

Lee Owen, owner of the family-run business, said: "I was on the second floor in the office updating the website when I heard the door slam.

"I went to look and I saw my daughter lying on the floor and at first I thought she had been stabbed.

"I thought she had tried to stop someone from taking the till.

"I have been in the business for 12 years and I have never had anything like this happen to me before.

"I feel like I can't leave the store and I'm constantly pacing up and down.

"It has put me on edge - we are just a small, family-run business."

Police have confirmed an investigation is ongoing after two suspects entered the shop at 5pm, and after several minutes, reached into the display cases and stole several boxes containing 10 corn and king snakes, which are priced at around £70.

As they attempted to leave the store the two men, who used scarves to cover their faces, were confronted by Lee's daughter, who works at the pet shop.

They pushed her to the ground before running away down Lovely Lane to an awaiting vehicle. 

The suspects then sped off and abandoned the car close by. 

The snakes have since been recovered and returned to the pet shop. 

An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbery and possession of a class B drug.

He has been released under investigation. 

DC Carl Davis, of Warrington CID, said: “Thankfully we have been able to return the snakes to the shop and are now urging anyone who may have been in the area at the time and seen anything suspicious to come forward by contacting 101. 

"At this stage we believe the suspects are likely to be from Liverpool.” 

Anyone with information can call Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident 560 of January 11 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.