CCTV footage has been released showing offenders wanted after eight, one-day-old puppies were stolen from a house in Stretford.

At around 9.50pm yesterday, thieves armed with a knife forced their way into a family home on Alpha Road.

The men threatened a 26-year-old woman, who is six-months pregnant and had three other children in the house, and made demands for cash and mobile phones.

They then took eight newborn French Bulldog puppies and fled the scene.

No one was injured during the incident, but the puppies are unlikely to survive without their mother.

Police have now launched an appeal asking for help to track down the puppies and thieves.

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.