POLICE believe thieves responsible for stealing 14 bullocks from a Chipping farm had good knowledge of farm activities.

The culprits managed to escape undetected and Longridge police say they must have used heavy duty transport to remove the animals.

They disappeared between 9pm on Sunday and 5.45am on Monday.

Sergeant Phil Cowell said: "The owner still has all the passports for the animals and will therefore not be able to sell them on.

"They are all between seven and 14 months old and include several Limousin, Charolais, Belgian Blue breeds and one Simmental.

"The animals are quite distinctive; the Belgian are blue and white, the Limousin red and black and the Charolais are cream.

"Whoever has them will try to sell or slaughter them and we believe they used a vehicle to get them off the land.

"We believe it must be someone with knowledge of farms and anyone who saw suspicious activity, and would like to speak to anyone who saw the cattle being moved, or know their whereabouts now."

Anyone who can help should call Longridge Police on 782625.