POLICE are appealing for information after a second theft of animals from allotments in as many months.

A pigeon crate and six chickens were stolen from an allotment site in Howlish View, Coundon, near Bishop Auckland overnight on Tuesday April 7 to Wednesday April 8.

The culprits smashed padlocks to gain entry to several sheds before making off with the birds from one.

The incident following the theft of a dog from the same site on Saturday March 14.

Witnesses reported seeing two man take the dog- a 14-month old whippet trained to hunt rabbits- and drive away in a dark red Peugeot car.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Sarah Rooney on 0345-60-60-365, or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800-555-111