ARMED thieves raided a family home in Stretford and stole eight new-born puppies.

The men, armed with knives, forced their way into the home in Alpha Road around 9.50pm on Tuesday, October 23.

They threatened to stab a 26-year-old mum, who is six months pregnant, and her three young children.

The family were forced to hand over their cash and mobile phones before ransacking the house for valuables.

The thieves then found a litter of eight French Bulldog puppies, which were only a day old, in the kitchen.

The men scooped up the puppies, separating them from their mother, before fleeing.

No-one was hurt during the incident but the family have been left deeply shaken and concerned for the welfare of the puppies.

Detective Sergeant Dave Jones of GMP’s Trafford Borough, said: “It’s completely shocking that a pregnant woman and her three young children have faced such a terrifying ordeal, and we are determined to find the men responsible.

“As well as finding the offenders, an immediate priority is to find these puppies. They are only a day old, and they won’t survive for long without their mum, so they need to be brought home as soon as possible.

“I need anyone with information about the whereabouts of the puppies, or the men responsible, to please contact police as a matter of urgency.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 7747 quoting reference number 2218 of 24/10/18 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.