The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has confirmed that it is investigating the disappearance of 14 cattle, who went missing in Ardglass, Co. Down over the weekend.

Police outlined that the cattle reportedly went missing overnight between the hours of 12:30a.m and 10:45a.m on Sunday, June 28.

Officers said that the cattle were suspected to have been taken from the Ballyedock Road in Ardglass.

PSNI are now appealing for anyone with information about the incident to get in contact by calling 101 and quoting the reference number, CC2026062800673.

Alternatively, the public can report any information through the witness appeal form on the PSNI's website or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Crimestoppers

Separately, a new cash reward to tackle rural crime across parts of Northern Ireland was launched last week.

The independent charity, Crimestoppers, outlined that it is offering a reward of £3,500 for information given directly to the charity "that results in the arrest and conviction of those responsible".

According to PSNI Inspector Brian St Ledger, Crimestoppers is completely independent of the police and the reward is paid directly by the charity.

"They guarantee that everyone who contacts them stays 100% anonymous - your details will never be shared with police," Inspector St Ledger said.

He emphasised that the theft of valuable agri-equipment and tools from independent workmen and rural businesses can "seriously affect the lives and livelihoods of people in rural communities".

Inspector St Ledger added: "We hope this cash reward will encourage those with information about recent thefts of tools, quads and other items from agricultural and rural properties and communities to tell Crimestoppers what they know, and that information will in turn help us identify the criminals responsible.

"This reward will be offered for a period of three months until September 26 and I would urge anyone with knowledge about these rural crimes to please get in touch with the charity by calling their 24/7 Contact Centre on 0800 555 111 or by visiting their website Crimestoppers-uk.org."

According to PSNI, there has been a spate of rural thefts particularly across the policing districts of Mid Ulster; Fermanagh and Omagh; Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon; and Newry, Mourne and Down recently.