The government has confirmed a killer hornet has been sighted in the UK.

A Northfleet man reportedly killed an asian hornet in May but the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) couldn’t confirm the sighting.

Now the National Bee Unit has stated the deadly insect has been found in the Tetbury area of Gloucestershire.

The predators grow to about 30mm and are smaller than their European counterparts, however they carry a much larger amount of venom. 

The dangerous pest made headlines last year after six people died from anaphylactic shock in France.

But this isn’t the first time people claim to have encountered the hornet.

James Roberts, 35, of Waterdales, believes he squared up to and killed a two-inch Asian hornet at his home.

Speaking to News Shopper at the time of the attack Mr Roberts said: “I am shocked.

“I feel terrified of them still, I am nervous and looking around when ever I go out.

“If I hear or see a fly I shudder, I’m thinking, when is the next one going to creep up on me?”

The Asian hornet is smaller than the native European hornet but poses no greater risk to human health than a bee, Defra claims.

News Shopper:
James Roberts, 35, of Waterdales, Northfleet

The greatest risk posed by this new arrival is in fact against honey bees.

The hornet found in Tetbury is currently undergoing DNA testing at the National Bee Unit in North Yorkshire to help establish how it arrived in the UK.

It is believed the pest touched down in France from China back in 2004.

A three mile surveillance zone is in place around Tetbury and the creation of a local control centre has been established.

Bee inspectors and nest disposal experts are currently trying to track down the colony.

News Shopper:
James Roberts believes he killed an asian hornet in May

Nicola Spence, Defra Deputy Director for Plant and Bee Health, said: “We have been anticipating the arrival of the Asian hornet for some years and have a well-established protocol in place to eradicate them and control any potential spread.

“It is important to remember they pose no greater risk to human health than a bee, though we recognise the damage they can cause to honey bee colonies.

“That’s why we are taking swift and robust action to identify and destroy any nests.”