Six cattle, including two calves, have been stolen from a farm in Mullaghbawn, south Armagh and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is appealing for information about the theft.

It is believed that they were taken from a farm on Glenmore Road in Mullaghbawn, near Newry.

The PSNI in Newtownhamilton has said that the cattle were stolen between 12 noon on Wednesday, March 16 and 7am on March 17.

The cattle are described as being a red/brown colour and they are a mix of male and female.

It is understood that a trailer was used to remove the cattle from a shed on the farm in Armagh.

This is the latest in a number of cattle thefts in the North in a short number of weeks.

Also last week, 12 cattle and a cattle trailer were stolen from a farm in Magherafelt, Co. Derry.

A spokesperson for the PSNI said that they received a report that sometime between 9pm on Tuesday, March 15 and 7am on Wednesday, March 16 the livestock and Ifor Williams trailer were taken.

In February, 30 calves were taken from a farm in Co. Tyrone. It is understood that they were taken from a farm in the Castlebane Road area of Castlederg near Strabane in the county.

There has been an increase in cattle rustling in the past number of years on both sides of the border.

The Gardai advises that community spirit can be a very valuable tool with farmers being vigilant and looking out for each other.

In some cases, perpetrators will try to integrate the stolen cattle into their own herds. Also, farmers should be vigilant buying cattle and ensure that documentation is filled out properly.