Police swooped on two addresses in Kent to seize illegally imported Siamese crocodile skulls.

A total of three skulls were found at two separate properties during the raids by Kent police and officers from the UK Wildlife Crime Unit.

Police said the owners of the skulls, who are thought to have purchased them online, were given advice about legislation to protect endangered species.

The Siamese Crocodile is a critically endangered species and is under the control of Trade in Endangered Species (COTES) Regulations.

Last year a man from Chippenham in Wiltshire was left stunned when police knocked on his door and seized a Siamese crocodile skull he had bought online days earlier.

He was unaware he had done anything wrong until officers from Wiltshire Police’s rural crime team knocked on his door.

They were tipped off by the National Wildlife Crime Unit, who learned of the skull purchase after it was dispatched from China.

Despite the legislation, dozens of similar artefacts are currently available on online auction sites for less than £30.