The independent charity Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £1,000 for information to find a litter of five puppies stolen from a farm in Upper Swell this month.

Between 11pm on Friday, February 5 and 7am on Saturday, February 6, it is believed the thieves left the main road and drove through a field to get to the farm.

They then searched the outhouse, leaving doors and gates open behind them once they had stolen the four-week-old Border Collie puppies.

The puppies were made up of three all black and white females and two black and white males with brown face markings.

Two puppies were going to be kept on the farm and the remaining three had good homes already arranged.

They were still feeding from their mum, who was left behind when the puppies were taken, meaning that the thieves will need to hand rear this young litter.

Due to their age, they were not chipped and are worth an estimated £600 each.

Emily Van der Lely, Crimestoppers regional manager for Gloucestershire, said: “As a dog owner myself, I am shocked by this crime and can only imagine the heartache the puppies mum and this local family are experiencing.

"If you know anything about this crime, please tell Crimestoppers charity either online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by ringing freephone 0800 555 111, 100 per cent anonymously, to become eligible for the reward we are offering.

“It could be that you may have seen someone driving through a field in Stow-on-the-Wold late on February 5 or on February 6 in the morning. Maybe you could describe the vehicle and its occupants. Crimestoppers only want to know what you know, not who you are.

“Have you been offered or have you seen very young Border Collie puppies advertised for sale on social media sites or elsewhere. Providing details like this could help reunite these puppies with their distraught owners.

“If you are thinking of buying a puppy, please ensure you ask the right questions, to ensure they are a legitimate seller.

"Ask for details of the parents, their heritage and if you can see the mother and puppies in their home environment.

"Is the seller asking you the right questions, for example the life you lead, your work, what the dog will be doing, where it will sleep, if it will be a working dog and so forth. "If you are suspicious of a seller, you can tell the charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously.”

To report any information 100% anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or complete a simple and secure anonymous online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.