Cheshire Police's Rural Crime Team have issued advice on the safest way of buying or selling puppies, after burglaries in Northwich, Alsager and Ashley.

The most recent of these puppy thefts was reported on Wednesday 11th November, after 14 four-week-old Cockerpoo and Cocker Spaniel puppies were stolen from a house in Northwich during the previous night.

When advertising your puppies for sale, Cheshire Police recommend that you consider the following:

• Don't include pictures that may give clues of the location or where you live
• Never give out your address until you believe the person genuinely wants to visit
• Make viewings available by appointment only, take as many details of the potential buyer as possible.

When buying a puppy make sure you buy from a reputable source, be suspicious if they wont let you see the puppies at home and ask to see puppies and mum together.

Make sure all paperwork comes with the puppy and that its microchipped and the details corresponds to the breeder.

Plenty of information can be found online so do your research.

If you have any information or see something suspicious please report it via 101 or on the Cheshire Police website.