Puppies found in cages at suspected Cannock Chase chop shop

Puppies, an air rifle and six vehicles have been discovered at a suspected chop shop in Staffordshire.

Police found the site after responding to reports of a stolen van abandoned on Stokes Lane in Norton Canes, Cannock Chase, last Thursday.

The vehicles were taken away for forensic analysis and Cannock Chase District Council was called in after the puppies were found in cages.

A 46-year-old man from Walsall and a 33-year-old man from Shrewsbury were arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft, Staffordshire Police confirmed.

Ch Insp Matt Walker, from the Cannock local policing team, described the discovery as a "substantial find".

He said officers believed the vehicles were stolen just days before they were found.

"We know [combating] vehicle theft is a priority for so many members of our communities. Often, when these vehicles are stolen, they are taken to sites, dismantled, and sold on for criminal profit," he added.