Nine puppies, all weeks old, stolen from home in Lancashire - police issue urgent warning about sellers

Police have issued an urgent appeal for help as nine puppies - all just weeks old - have been stolen.

The Staffordshire bull terrier puppies were taken in the early hours of Wednesday morning from a property in the Shadsworth area of Blackburn.

The puppies stolen in images released by Blackburn and Darwen Police (Blackburn and Darwen Police)

Officers are now asking people in the surrounding areas to be 'on the look out for people who may be trying to sell them'.

The puppies are a mere three weeks old and 'should not be away from the parents at that age', added police.

The appeal has also given instructions on what to do if people are offered a potentially stolen puppy.

In an appeal, officers from the Blackburn neighbourhood team said: "We are appealing to the community to be on the look out for people who may be trying to sell young puppies.

"There was a report of a burglary in the Shadsworth area in the early hours of today (Wednesday 03/03) where nine Staffordshire bull terrier puppies have been stolen from a property.

"The puppies are only three weeks old and should not be away from the parents at that age."

Anyone offered one is asked to contact police on 101 and quote log number 0113 of 03/03 straight away.