Police are appealing for information about an incident that may have been an attempt to steal a puppy.

On Sunday, February 28 at 12.15pm a woman was walking her puppy, which was not on a lead, in the recreation ground off of Ricketts Lane in Sturminster Newton when she was approached by a young boy.

The boy was calling the puppy over, which the woman thought nothing of as many people stop to stroke her dog.

She put the puppy on the lead but the young boy then made attempts to pull the lead from the woman’s hand.

During the incident, it is reported that the boy kept looking behind him at two men.

On the third time of the boy trying to pull the lead from her she shouted “NO” and he was called away by the men.

A spokesperson for North Dorset Police said: "This could be a completely innocent incident where a young boy just wanted to play with the puppy.

"However, we would like to take this opportunity to remind dog owners to remain vigilant."

If you have any information regarding this incident you are asked to email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or contact police via the website dorset.police.uk/do-it-online quoting occurrence number 55210033938.